The Ducale Palace of Mantua is a collection of buildings, built between the beginning of the fourteenth century and mid-seventeenth century, a period during  which the power of the Gonzaga family grew. The set consists on 500 rooms and covers an area of approximately 34,000 square meters. The greatest artists of all time have contributed to create this monumental complex, thanks to the Gonzagas who knew how to enhance the magnificence of the palace.

Saint George's Castle, built in 1395 by Bartolino from Novara and commissioned by Francesco I Gonzaga, has an austere but elegant quadrangular mole, relieved by the escape of barbicans and broad battlements Ghibelline. Some elements, such as the tower without battlements and capitals used for the arches that are a part of the inner court (most likely residues of a previous building), indicate that Bartolino has probably worked on an existing structure. Luca Fancelli transformed in 1459  this defensive building in residence for the account of Ludwig II, who moved there in the  occasion of the Council wanted by Pius Pope to ban the crusade against the Turks. However, the splendor of the castle was due to the great painter Andrea Mantegna who painted there his most shining masterpiece.

The Camera degli Sposi is located in the northeast tower of Saint George's Castle. Painted by Andrea Mantegna in the space of nine years ( from 1465 to 1474 as demonstrated, respectively, by an inscription on the edge of the east window and by an indication written on the golden plaque with which the artist dedicates his work to the Marquises of Mantua).