Art and History in the Splendour of the Renaissance

Lorenzo Bonoldi, Qualified Tour Guide in Mantua.

I am an Art Historian dedicated to Leisure, Travel and Professional Tourism. And I am a lucky man too, because I’ve been able to transform my passion for the History of Art into my job.
I do have a strong educational and professional background, and I am more than willing to share my knowledge with tourists visiting my city. So, if you are planning to pay a visit to Mantua, I can be your perfect point of reference.
You can count on me to make your guided tour a day to be remembered.
I was born in Mantua in 1978. After attending a secondary school focusing on humanities and classics (where I learned Latin and Ancient Greek), I moved to Venice where I studied in Ca’ Foscari University, and graduated in History of Art with top marks and honours. The topic of my thesis was the figure and patronage of Isabella d’Este, Marchioness of Mantua.
During my University years I joined the “Classical Tradition Seminar”, and with my colleagues and professors I founded the on-line magazine “Engramma”. With the same group of scholars I also published the book “L’Originale Assente”.
After graduation, I came back to Mantua, where I won a study-award (2.000 euro) and a scholarship (8.000 euro), which allowed me extend my research.
In 2008 I acted as Scientific Curator for the exhibition “Classico Manifesto” (Milan, Triennale), dealing with the relationships between Art and Advertising.
As an Art Historian I wrote over 60 publications, including a guide-book to Mantua, a book about Giulio Romano (2008) and one about Isabella d’Este (2015; English translation 2016). I also write for one of the most renowned Italian Art Magazines: “Art e Dossier”.
While in high-school, I spent several summers in England and Ireland, attending English language courses in Dublin, Durham, Norwich, Plymouth and Chester. After my degree, I started to have private language lessons and, thanks to the meetings with my tutor (a former British opera-singer), have improved my knowledge of artistic terms in English.
Since 2006 I have an official license as a Professional Tour Guide.

In my career, I have guided thousands of visitors in Mantua: from large groups (including very highly specialized ones from Museums, Colleges and Universities) to FIT (Free Independent Travelers). I’ve also shown round Mantua celebrities – including MPs, writers (Karen Essex, Michel Faber and Alexander McCall Smith) and music stars (Simon LeBon and Nick Rhodes).
In 2017 I was listed by the British newspaper “The Telegraph” amongst the “World’s Best Tour Guides”, and my tours have been recommended by the Lonely Planet Guide.

Book now your visit, request quotes, availability and info. lorenzo.bonoldi@gmail.com