Basilica di Sant'Andrea, Mantua

The basilica was designed by the Renaissance architect Leon Battista Alberti, one of the most influential architectural theorists of the 15th century. It was commissioned by Ludovico III Gonzaga, the ruler of Mantua, and construction began in 1472, the year of Alberti's death.

The basilica houses relics of the Blood of Christ, which according to tradition were brought to Mantua by the Roman centurion Longinus. The relics are preserved in the crypt and displayed for veneration on Good Friday and other special occasions.

Construction began in 1472 but the church was not fully completed until centuries later. Alberti's façade was largely realized in the late 15th century, while the dome was completed much later, reportedly in the 18th century.

The basilica is located in Mantua (Mantova), a city in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. Mantua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Renaissance architecture and was the seat of the powerful Gonzaga family.