One of the oldest stadiums across the top two divisions of Italian football, the Stadio Danilo Martelli in Mantua is one of the most unique grounds on the peninsula.
Designed as a multi-sport hub, the stadium, which was officially inaugurated in 1949, initially included a velodrome, football ground, and athletics track but has since undergone several major developments.
Here is all you need to know.
What Makes It Special?
While relatively small even by Serie B standards with a capacity of 12,000, on its day the Martelli is capable of generating one of the most electric atmospheres in the division, largely thanks to the Curva Te – the heart of Biancorossi fandom.
Originally built between 1947 and 1949, the curva was entirely renovated in 2005 along with most of the stadium, but the Martelli retains a pleasantly old-school feel and remains completely exposed to the elements.
How To Get There
The Martelli is a 30-minute walk from Mantua’s main train station and is served by bus routes 5 and 8. The latter is your best option if arriving from Piazza delle Erbe in the Centro Storico, which otherwise is a 20-minute walk from the ground. Mantua’s iconic Palazzo Te, meanwhile, is a 10-minute stroll from the stadium.
Map
Neighbourhood Tips
Bar Maratoneta is popular with matchgoers and regularly has football on TV, from Serie A to Champions League fixtures, while Bar Katy is situated just across the road from the Curva Te and is another popular meeting point for Mantova regulars.
Need To Know
The Martelli was initially named in honour of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini but was changed to Stadio Settimo Leoni before being known as Stadio John R. Nation, after an American soldier who died in combat near Mantova in World War II. It took its current name in 1949 in honour of Danilo Martelli, who died in the Superga air disaster and was born in the small village of Castellucchio in the Mantua province. The name was changed again to Danilo Martelli Pata Stadium for sponsorship reasons.
Tickets
The ticket collection points are located next to the Tribuna Centrale gates on Viale Te.
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