Sabbioneta is a small town and commune in the province of Mantua, Lombardy region, northern Italy. It is situated about 30 kilometers north of Parma, and not far from the northern bank of the Po River. It was inscribed in the World Heritage List along with Mantua.
Sabbioneta was founded by Vespasiano I Gonzaga in the late 16th century along the ancient Roman Via Vitelliana, on a sandy bank of the Po River (hence "sabbioneta", meaning "sandy" in Italian). It was also known as "little Athens" for its cultural and architectural importance during the Renaissance.
The town is well known for its significant architectural structures such as the Palazzo Ducale, the Galleria degli Antichi, and the Teatro all'Antica, one of the first purpose-built theaters in the early modern era. Other significant structures include the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, and Casa Cavriani.
Sabbioneta has been described as a "perfectly preserved Renaissance town" for its well-planned, grid-like street system, its fortified walls, and its overall architectural integration. Its founder, Vespasiano Gonzaga, was a patron of the arts and commissioned many stunning edifices, some of which still stand today. As such, it is often considered a prime example of Renaissance town planning theories. In 2008, Sabbioneta, along with Mantua, was declared by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site.
