Sant’Andrea

church, Mantua, Italy

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The Church of Sant'Andrea in Mantua, Italy, is a significant example of Renaissance architecture, designed by Leon Battista Alberti and begun in 1472. It is renowned for its innovative facade, which draws inspiration from ancient Roman triumphal arches, and its influential interior plan. The church's design, particularly its rhythmic bay system and the integration of interior and exterior composition, had a lasting impact on subsequent religious architecture. Andrea Mantegna, a prominent Renaissance artist, is also associated with Mantua, having created works like the Camera degli Sposi in the Palazzo Ducale.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Correggio
Early life and career
…Mantegna’s family chapel in the church of Sant’Andrea at Mantua after the artist’s death. It seems certain that the two round paintings, or tondi, of the Entombment and Holy Family (probably before 1510) are by the young Correggio. Although his early works are pervaded with his knowledge of Mantegna’s art,…
Read More
…Mantegna’s family chapel in the church of Sant’Andrea at Mantua after the artist’s death. It seems certain that the two round paintings, or tondi, of the Entombment and Holy Family (probably before 1510) are by the young Correggio. Although his early works are pervaded with his knowledge of Mantegna’s art,…
Read More

Western architecture
Early Renaissance in Italy (1401–95)
…Mantua in the church of Sant’Andrea (begun 1472, completed in the 18th century), an early Renaissance masterpiece that was to exert much influence on later religious architecture. It is important as a brilliant application of the ancient Roman triumphal arch motif both to the facade of a church and to…
Read More
…Mantua in the church of Sant’Andrea (begun 1472, completed in the 18th century), an early Renaissance masterpiece that was to exert much influence on later religious architecture. It is important as a brilliant application of the ancient Roman triumphal arch motif both to the facade of a church and to…
Read More