Mantova is a noble town. Its has always been blessed with a certain stylish aspect ever since the soothsayer Manto arrived in the marshy lowlands of the river Mincio fleeing from Thebes. It was also the birthplace of the Latin poet Virgil. Following the Romans, Goths and Carolingians, Mantua became the capital of the territory of Matilde di Canossa and an uninterrupted period of splendour followed. Palaces, places of worship, castles etc. all rose from the flatland and the city took on the aspect which it has still kept to the present day.