Castelvecchio Museum

Castelvecchio Museum and Fortress in Verona, Italy, is a 14th century medieval castle which now hosts a fine art gallery and collections of ancient artefacts. Open to visitors between 10am and 6pm, what is seen of Castelvecchio today is a careful balance of the old and the new.

Castelvecchio Museum history

The Castelvecchio fortress itself is a site in its own right and dates back to the 14th century. Built by Cangrande II della Scala, Castelvecchio boasts imposing walls and vast towers which lend a magnificence and sense of raw power to the castle complex. Castelvecchio was built alongside the Ponte Scaligero which runs from the castle across the River Adige.

The fortress was a testament to the power of the Della Scala (Scaliger) family who ruled Verona in the 13th and 14th centuries until their internecine conflicts led to their downfall. From 1404 Verona became part of the Venetian Republic and Castelvecchio became a munitions depot and subsequently was the home of the Venetian Military Academy.

In the 1797 revolt against the French, Castelvecchio was used as a barracks and the castle was the site of a number of actions during the uprising.

Castelvecchio Museum today

Remodelled in 1957 by Carlo Scarpa, today Castelvecchio is a museum which hosts an impressive art gallery showcasing medieval and Renaissance artworks mostly from the local area. There are also Roman artefacts and sculptures and early Christian collections which include an impressive Romanesque equestrian statue of Cangrande I della Scala and paintings such as Madonna of the Quail by Pisanello.

Getting to Castelvecchio Museum

Situated on the banks of the River Adige in central fair Verona, Castelvecchio Museum is easily found on foot or via public transport. Buses 30 and 91 stop at L.go Don Bosco which is just below the fortress or you can cross the Ponte di Castlevecchio bridge from the Giardini Sandro Pertini park (with great castle views).