The Scaligeri tombs, Verona

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The Scaligeri family members are entombed at Arche Scalgeri, in a little square by the Municipal Council building. Alongside is a small church called Santa Maria Antica, where they held the final ceremonies, and today you can enter and is has antiquities of the times 700 years ago. The three arches were built for the main three famed ones, and Congrande (big Dog from 1329) was the most known. The biggest tomb in the front is of Mostino II from 1340. Each tomb is capped with a statue of themselves. The wrought iron fence is from mid 1300's. The tombs numerous and artistic Gothic canopies are to cherish in memory coming back home with. It is coming into the Piazza Dei Signori area for location. Santa Maria Antiqua, is also an exhibition place for special showings and holds other crypts. The wrought iron fence with the family coat of arms is also a site to behold. The tombs became a part of the life in late 14th century and the outside ones are three, with others in the church.
Open 9:30-19:30 Jan through September for inside.

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All the tombs are real masterpieces – many in the shape of a sarcophagus with a statue of the person buried, raised on columns, ornamented and canopied.

The burial place of the Scala family was built outside their church, the Church of Santa Maria Antica founded in the 7th century.

located next to the church of santa maria antica are the tombs of the scaligeri. the scaligeri family were the rulers of verona in the middle ages. what makes these tombs interesting is that they are located outside and not in the church.

The Arche Scaligari or tombs are deeply impressive Gothic funerary monuments (and are, apparently, 'up there' on the list of most impressive tombs of their kind in Italy). They are 'attached' to the 12th century Romanesque church, Santa Maria Antica. The Scaligari family were the ruthless 13th century rulers of the Veronese State, responsible, however, for much of what we see today in the older part of the city.

Tomb builded mainly in the 14th century of the Scala family members :
-Members like "Cangrande I della Scala", the only tomb not within the fences and open for the public.
-Mastino II
Above the entrance to the family church you will find a gothic canopy, supported by colums and topped by a pyramid shaped roof.The tomb is decorated with sculptures in high relief. On the top of a couch lies the statue of the prince Cangrande.
On top of the tomb, a smiling horseman in vigerous and realistic style
The sculptor of the tomb is unknown.
The sculptors of the other tombs are known
The location of the tombs is rather hidden in a narrow street and you will walk by without noticing if you have no guide

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This is a collection of tombs of the della Scala family, who ruled Verona in the latter part of the 13th and early 14th centuries. Like many of the rulers of this period of Italian history, the della Scala were ruthless rulers, but at the same time were patrons of the arts. There are three main tombs, each surmounted with grand carved gothic statues, and I believe 6 others, all surrounded by a high wrought iron fence. Both the fence and some of the statuary repeats the family motive - a ladder.

There was a lot of restoration work going on in this part of the city during our visit, and the nearby Palazzo della Ragione with its famous staircase was closed.

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The Scala family, also referred as "Scaligeri" were the lords of Verona in the middle age. Their monumental tombs are known as "Arche Scaligere" , surmounted by rich Gothic canopies works.
Every monumental tomb is topped by the statue of the lord resting in it.
recently, scientist opened the grave of Cangrande, the famous Scaligero that Dante placed in its Divina Commedia, and examined the body, to clear if some ancient rumors were exact.
The body was found in good condition (well, for its 7 centuries) and even with remains of the robes.
But modern laboratory analisys were able to determine that he was really murdered with "digitalis" (an herb affecting heart rithm) like someone suspected at the time. His fisician is the suspect n. #1, but he doesn't risks a trial

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Over the side-door of the church Santa Maria Antica there is the Tomb of Cangrande I della Scala, who died in 1329. This also serves as a porch and is one of the best examples of 14th century sculpture in Verona. (The buriel palace of the Scala family is decorated by the leading sculptors of the 14th century, Bonino di Campione and Giovanni di Rigino.
The statue of the dead prince lies on the top of his tomb on a couch.
The famous monument is unique, however, because of the statue of Cangrande on horseback which stands on top of its pyramid roof. The statue is the masteroiece of an anonymous sculptor of the 14th century known as the "Mastro delle Arche Scaligere". This sculptor has portrayed the smiling horseman in vigorous and realistc style. The original statue is now in the Castelvecchio Museum.
The monument to Cangrande is the only one which bears the emblem of the Scala family.