Castelvecchio (“Old Castle”) is the most important military monument of Scaliger’s rule, that was built in Verona in the XIVth century. The castle was originally called the Castle of Saint Martin of Aquaro, after a homonymous church that had stood there since the VIIIth century. When another two castles appeared in Verona, San Felice Castle and San Pietro Castle, this one got the name Castel Vecchio (“old castle”).
Thanks to its position, this castle was an important protective element for the city, and its bridge served as a road for military help from the neighbouring territories or also as a way of escape. Inside the castle complex was a defensive system, and its observation tower was a centre of control over the city and over both banks of the river Adige.
The construction was initiated in 1354 by a Lord of Verona, Cangrande II della Scala (the Italian name for Scaliger). All of the previous buildings and city walls in the castle area were united and inserted into a new military complex, and at the same time a bridge was built across the river Adige, known as Castelvecchio bridge or Scaliger bridge. The castle was finished in 1376 when the construction of the highest tower was completed. This happened under the rule of Antonio and Bartolomeo della Scala.
When the Visconti family reigned in Verona, they built another castle, San Pietro Castle, and Castelvecchio lost its main military function. After the Visconti era, the castle was used as an artillery arsenal, casern, storehouse, etc. The castle tower became a prison. In the XVIIIth century, it was the seat of the Veronese military institute.
Napoleon’s invasion changed the castle considerably. The biggest loss was the demolition of the Roman arch Arco dei Gavi which was part of the castle complex. Several towers were also destroyed, including a Clock Tower (Torre dell’Orologio), and the castle was used as a casern and arsenal for the French troops.
Under Italian rule at the end of the XIXth century, the castle was still the seat of military offices. In 1870, Castelvecchio bridge was opened to the public.
The first restoration work began in 1923. The Clock Tower was rebuilt, and slightly repositioned. Arco dei Gavi was also reconstructed some years later.
Nowadays, the castle hosts the Castelvecchio Museum, one of the largest and most important in Verona. There are about 300 rooms divided into different sections: sculpture, Italian painting, ceramics, ancient arms, etc. One of the most significant monuments of the castle is an original horsed statue of Cangrande, brought to the museum from Scaliger Tombs.
Thanks to its position, this castle was an important protective element for the city, and its bridge served as a road for military help from the neighbouring territories or also as a way of escape. Inside the castle complex was a defensive system, and its observation tower was a centre of control over the city and over both banks of the river Adige.
The construction was initiated in 1354 by a Lord of Verona, Cangrande II della Scala (the Italian name for Scaliger). All of the previous buildings and city walls in the castle area were united and inserted into a new military complex, and at the same time a bridge was built across the river Adige, known as Castelvecchio bridge or Scaliger bridge. The castle was finished in 1376 when the construction of the highest tower was completed. This happened under the rule of Antonio and Bartolomeo della Scala.
When the Visconti family reigned in Verona, they built another castle, San Pietro Castle, and Castelvecchio lost its main military function. After the Visconti era, the castle was used as an artillery arsenal, casern, storehouse, etc. The castle tower became a prison. In the XVIIIth century, it was the seat of the Veronese military institute.
Napoleon’s invasion changed the castle considerably. The biggest loss was the demolition of the Roman arch Arco dei Gavi which was part of the castle complex. Several towers were also destroyed, including a Clock Tower (Torre dell’Orologio), and the castle was used as a casern and arsenal for the French troops.
Under Italian rule at the end of the XIXth century, the castle was still the seat of military offices. In 1870, Castelvecchio bridge was opened to the public.
The first restoration work began in 1923. The Clock Tower was rebuilt, and slightly repositioned. Arco dei Gavi was also reconstructed some years later.
Nowadays, the castle hosts the Castelvecchio Museum, one of the largest and most important in Verona. There are about 300 rooms divided into different sections: sculpture, Italian painting, ceramics, ancient arms, etc. One of the most significant monuments of the castle is an original horsed statue of Cangrande, brought to the museum from Scaliger Tombs.
