Verona

Next to the arch is the Castelvecchio, Verona's historic castle. Meaning "Old Castle", it is the most important military construction of the Scaliger dynasty that ruled the city in the Middle Ages. Construction began in 1354 when following a revolt headed by his half-brother Fregnano, Cangrande II no longer felt safe inside the city and he had the castle and bridge over the Adige River built. The new dwelling was to be a palace, fortress and a guarantee means of escape, however Cangrande only lived there for a little while before he was betrayed and killed by his brother Cansignorio who took over dominion of Verona.

Following the downfall of the Della Scala family the castle was damaged during the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon himself stayed here several times. It later fell inder Austrian rule and was used as soldier's barracks and after several restorations throughout the years it now houses the Castelvecchio Museum.

While we didn't go into the museum, we did enjoy looking around the castle grounds, within the castle walls. It is amazing that so much of it still stands today and we get to walk where history has taken place. I love the history and the stories of these historic structures and it is fun to imagine what life would have been like back then.Read more