Castelvecchio Museum

Castelvecchio is a magnificent medieval fortress built between 1354 and 1356 by Cangrande II della Scala as a fortified residence and defensive structure. The castle takes the name "Vecchio" (Old) to distinguish it from the more recent Castel San Pietro. The structure overlooks the Adige river and is connected to the opposite bank by the striking Scaliger Bridge, one of the most photographed medieval bridges in Italy.

Since 1923 the castle has housed the Civic Art Museum, one of the most important collections of Venetian medieval and Renaissance art. The museum preserves masterpieces by Pisanello, Mantegna, Bellini, Veronese, Tintoretto and an extraordinary collection of medieval sculptures. The brilliant architectural restoration of 1958-1974 by Carlo Scarpa has transformed the military spaces into exhibition environments where art dialogues perfectly with the historic architecture.

Among the most famous works stand out the Cangrande Horse, a 14th-century equestrian statue that dominated the tomb of the Scaliger lord, the Madonna of the Quail by Pisanello, and masterpieces by Mantegna, Bellini and Carpaccio. The museum organises temporary exhibitions of international level and concerts in the inner courtyard during the summer.

The Scaliger fortress and the integrated medieval defense system

Cangrande II della Scala had Castelvecchio built between 1354 and 1356 as a safe fortified residence and military base to control Verona and defend himself against possible internal revolts. The castle has a rectangular plan with seven corner towers and a powerful central keep 40 metres high. The crenellated walls in red brick and white stone create the characteristic medieval Veronese appearance.

The fortress was connected to the opposite bank of the Adige via the Scaliger Bridge (or Castelvecchio Bridge), a protected escape route that allowed the Scaligeri to evacuate quickly in case of danger. The castle included barracks, armouries, stables, water cisterns and a private chapel. The towers allowed visual control over all the bridges and access roads to the city, making Castelvecchio a key element of the Scaliger defensive system.

After centuries of military use under Venetians, French and Austrians, the castle was transformed into a civic museum in 1923. However, the most extraordinary exhibition design took place between 1958 and 1974 thanks to the brilliant Venetian architect Carlo Scarpa, who carried out one of the most influential museum restorations of the 20th century, still studied today in architecture universities all over the world. Scarpa created a perfect dialogue between medieval architecture and contemporary design: suspended staircases, secret passageways, geometric marble floors, and strategic windows framing glimpses of the castle and river.

Each work is displayed in such a way as to enhance it to the maximum: the Cangrande Horse dominates the space on a pedestal that seems suspended, the medieval sculptures are illuminated naturally, the Renaissance paintings dialogue with the ancient walls. Scarpa's project set the standard and is considered an absolute masterpiece of modern museography.

The Castelvecchio Museum preserves more than 600 works arranged in 29 thematic rooms that follow a chronological route from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. The collection of medieval sculpture is the most important in the Veneto and includes wooden crucifixes, Romanesque capitals, Gothic statues and the famous equestrian statue of the Cangrande Horse, symbol of Scaliger power. The picture gallery houses masterpieces of the Venetian Renaissance: the Madonna of the Quail by Pisanello, the Madonna of the Passion by Mantegna, the Holy Family by Bellini, works by Veronese, Tintoretto, Tiepolo and Guardi.

One section is dedicated to medieval and Renaissance weapons and armour, while another houses jewellery, ceramics, glasswork and goldwork from the Middle Ages to the Baroque. The route ends on the panoramic terrace with breathtaking views over the Scaliger Bridge, the Adige and the Veronese hills.