city state · Italy

Commune of Mantua

1115 CE – 1272 CE (approx.) · capital Mantua

A lake-ringed city-republic of the Po plain that emerged after Matilda of Canossa's death and ended when the Bonacolsi seized power in 1272.

Origins

Mantua had been a centre of Matilda of Canossa's lands. After her death in 1115 its citizens organised a commune under consuls, taking control of the city and the countryside from the old feudal lords and the bishop.

Rule and society

The commune was governed by consuls and later a podestà. Mantua joined the Lombard League against Frederick Barbarossa and in the late 12th century engineer Alberto Pitentino regulated the Mincio to form the lakes that still surround the city. Mantua traded along the Po and the Mincio and fought neighbours such as Verona and Cremona. The troubadour poet Sordello came from its territory.

Decline and legacy

In 1272 Pinamonte Bonacolsi made himself captain of the people and ruled as lord, ending communal government. The Gonzaga overthrew the Bonacolsi in 1328, founding what became the Duchy of Mantua.

Lineage

Commune of MantuaDuchy of Mantua 1328 CE – 1708 CE

Connections (1)

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Commune of Mantua. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/commune-of-mantua
MLA
“Commune of Mantua.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/commune-of-mantua. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Commune of Mantua.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/commune-of-mantua.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Commune of Mantua’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/commune-of-mantua (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻