Castle Saint Peter

Castel San Pietro is a nineteenth-century military fortress built by the Austrians on the hill that dominates the historic centre of Verona. Located 70 metres above the level of the Adige river, the castle occupies the most important strategic position in the city, from which the entire valley and the bridges below can be controlled. The name derives from the ancient church of San Pietro in Castello that already stood here in the Lombard era.

Reachable on foot via a panoramic staircase of 235 steps or by a comfortable historic funicular, Castel San Pietro is today the favourite destination for tourists and photographers to admire the most spectacular panorama of Verona, especially at sunset. From the panoramic terrace you can enjoy a 360-degree view over the entire city: the bend of the Adige, the historic bridges, the medieval towers, the Arena, the Cathedral and the surrounding hills. The castle hosts an elegant panoramic restaurant and numerous cultural events during the summer.

The surrounding green area is perfect for picnics, romantic walks and professional photography sessions. At sunset, when the sun illuminates the roofs of Verona with a golden light, this place becomes magical.

From Roman origins to the nineteenth-century Habsburg fortress

The hill of Castel San Pietro has been fortified since Roman times, when a castellum stood here to defend the Roman Theatre below. In the 7th century the Lombards built the church of San Pietro in Castello and strengthened the defensive walls. During the Scaliger rule (1260-1387), the hill was further fortified with towers and bastions.

The current structure however dates back to 1852-1856, when the Austrians, after defeating the Venetians, built this imposing military barracks in neoclassical style as part of the defensive system of the Quadrilateral. The project by the Austrian architect Franz von Scholl provided for barracks for 600 soldiers, powder magazines, cisterns and cannons. The dominant position made it possible to control all movements in the valley and to defend the bridges over the Adige from any attacks.

In 2017 a modern funicular was inaugurated that connects Piazzale Castel San Pietro (reachable from the Ponte Pietra) with the top of the hill in just 90 seconds. The funicular replaced the historic one from 1941, destroyed during the Second World War, and has made the castle accessible also to people with mobility difficulties, the elderly and families with small children. Those who prefer the more authentic experience can climb on foot the panoramic staircase of 235 steps that starts from Via Santo Stefano, just after the Ponte Pietra.

The climb takes about 10-15 minutes but is very evocative: at every bend the view of the city widens, creating a growing anticipation until the final panoramic terrace. Along the route you encounter benches, fountains and splendid Mediterranean gardens with cypresses and olive trees.

Today Castel San Pietro is one of the most visited and photographed places in the Veneto, especially at sunset when hundreds of tourists and photographers gather on the terrace to capture the golden light that illuminates the red rooftops of Verona and the bend of the Adige that embraces the historic centre. The view ranges from the Arena to the medieval bell towers, from the historic bridges to the hills of Valpolicella in the background. During the summer the castle hosts cultural events, jazz concerts and panoramic aperitifs organised by the in-house restaurant.

The wide surrounding green lawn is perfect for romantic picnics, sunset yoga and photo sessions for weddings. Many Veronese visit the castle for morning jogging or simply to enjoy the most beautiful view of their city in tranquillity.