Castelvecchio, Verona

2 more images

Overlooking the river and facing the town, the Castelvecchio is an impressive castle with a fair share of history. The merlons are M shaped, which is different than most. There is a museum with sculptures and 12th century exhibits. Built by the Scaliger family, that seem to quite the mafioso type.

2 more images

Castelvecchio is a medieval castle built by Cangrande II in the mid 14th century. Today this magnificent castle is turned into an art gallery with aerial walkways and corridors designed by Carlo Scarpa.
The art gallery contains Roman, early Christian and Renaissance Art. Ponte Scaligero links the castle with the other part of Verona spanning over the river Adige. The bridge is a local’s favorite spot for stroll and a perfect place for admiring the sunsets and the Alps in the distance.

1 more image

The Castelvecchio is a castle that was built in the 1350s by Cangrande II, one of the members of Verona's ruling Della Scala (Scalageri) family. The castle was restored in the 1920s (and again in the 1960s and 1970s) and turned into Verona's primary art museum. It has an impressive collection of medieval religious art and renaissance paintings, featuring artists such as Bellini and Caroto.

3 more images

This Old Castle (it wasn't always called that, but got the name Old when the newer fortifications were built on the hill of San Pietro) was built by the Scala family during the 14th century when they were the rulers of Verona. It became their residence and fortress during the rule of Cangrande II in 1354.

Cangrande, appropriately enough, translates as "top dog".

Attached to the castle is this fortified bridge called Ponte Scaligero over the River Adige, which the Scala family eventually had to use to make their escape from the city when they had fallen out of power.

Second photo: Here's a front view of the castle, from Via Roma.

Third photo: In the castle there is now a very interesting museum with artworks from several centuries.

Fourth photo: A painting of Salome in the Castelvecchio museum. The story of Salome was made into a play by Oscar Wilde, which in turn was the basis of the opera Salome by Richard Strauss.

The bridge was most likely built to form an escape route for the Scala family. It was completely destroyed during WW2 in 1945 and reconstructed in 1951. Its a fabulous red colour and you can walk along it.

Lots of art, sculptures and statues. Housed in the Scala family castle and not so much a museum (more art than anything else) I found the actual castle, its architecture and interior areas very interesting in itself as it has been lovingly restored in the 1950s-60s.

6€ entry unless you have the Verona card (which you can also buy here - 10€ for a one day Verona card or 15€ for a 3 day - see general tips for info on the Verona card)

3 more images

In the mid 1300's, the Castelvecchio was built for the Scaligeri family - who ruled Verona. This fortified castle along the Adige River was their residence and provided protection for the family; and also provided a quick escape route in case of trouble.

Drawbridge, dry moat, thick walls and clock tower and all the other castle essentials are there for your enjoyment.

The Castelvecchio is now a museum within a museum. You can tour the castle as well as see the art collection housed within.

3 more images

The Castelvecchio dates back to the 14th century and it was built for the Scaligeri family, who ruled over Verona during the Middle Ages. In reality, the castle was more like a medieval fortress built to protect the family from their enemies in Venice and also from popular uprisings, complete with a moat (it's now dry), a drawbridge, and a fortified bridge at the back that would allow the Scaligeri to escape in case of attack. The Castelvecchio now houses a really nice art museum, made all the more pleasant to visit since it allows you to explore many rooms of the castle and enjoy some amazing views of the Adige River and Ponte Scaligero. The museum was designed by Carlo Scarpa, an Italian architect who was well known for his ability to integrate historic features into modern designs, and the final result is quite impressive. Once you're done visiting the museum, don't forget to walk across the beautiful Ponte Scaligero and climb up the steps for a great view of the Adige River!

The Castelvecchio museum is included in the Verona Card (closed on Mondays).

4 more images

Consider starting at the Arco dei Gavi (Gavi Arch) and making an immediate left before Piazza Bra. Go under the portico, and stop at Savoia. This has to have the best gelato, ice cream in the city of Verona. They have video showing how they make the ice cream. You will not regret it.

Continue down Corso Cavour until you see the structure in front of you. This is Castelvecchio.

The "old castle" is an imposing structure that can be best described as a fortress. From the city side, there is the entrance via a small drawbridge to the Castelvecchio Museum. There is a great deal to explore, both within and without. A good start is just across the small drawbridge, the Castelvecchio Museum.

The museum has a nice courtyard, and there are signficants artifacts, and paintings and frescoes from the 14th century within. There are works by Andrea Mantegna (Holy Family), Pisanello (Madonna with the Quail), as well as paintings by Tintoretto and Veronese.

There is much to be learned about the history of Verona from the palace rooms, the ground floor gallery, and the exhibition of Veronese Painting.

There are original fresco decorations that were part of the original San Martino in Aquara Castle built by Cangrande II della Scala between 1354-1356.

The emphasis of the ground floor gallery are sculptures. The range of these works is between 1179-1335. This includes the Sarcophagus of Satins Serge and Bacchus, and the equestrian statue of Cangrande.

The first floor of the museuem has fourteenth century fresces that have been taken from churches and other buildings of Verona. The second floor is pure Renaissance with paintings by Andrea Mantegna, Jacopo and Giovanni Bellini, and other artists that represented the Venetian School and the Mantegna School.

On the second floor of the gallery, where one can see the statue of Cangrande up close and personal, is an exhibition of fifteenth century Veronese painting.

The castle is surrounded by a moat, and therfore to get to the Scaliger Bridge that spans the Adige River, one has to cross the street, turn left, and look for a long walkway. On certain days you can find strolling musicians. Entering the front or riverside, there are spots to climb and get in a nook and take a neat picture of the person high above you.

3 more images

The Della Scala, or Scaliger, family built this castle as a royal residence from 1354 to 1375. They also added the bridge over the Adige River. The Scaligers left the city in 1387, and others took control.

It remained a military fort until right after World War I. Since then, it's been an art museum. This is one of Verona's most distinctive buildings.