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Castle · Verona, Vêneto
Museo di Castelvecchio
14th-century Scaligeri castle on the banks of the Ádige, now the city's art museum, connected to the opposite bank by the Ponte di Castelvecchio, made of brick and topped with battlements.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Museo di Castelvecchio
Castelvecchio was built from 1354 by Cangrande II della Scala, beside the river Ádige, as a fortress and residence. It is the Scaligeri's main military monument. The name, meaning "old castle," arose after the Visconti built the Castel San Pietro on the opposite bank.
Since the 1920s the castle has housed the city's art museum. Between the late 1950s and early 1970s, architect Carlo Scarpa redesigned the museum route with walkways, staircases and the equestrian statue of Cangrande I placed in a prominent spot between the courtyard and the wall. The collection ranges from medieval sculpture to paintings by Pisanello, Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini, Veronese and Tintoretto, as well as historical weapons.
The Ponte di Castelvecchio, also called the Ponte Scaligero, was built between 1354 and 1356 as an escape route from the castle. It has three red-brick arches and swallow-tail shaped merlons, typical of the Scaligeri. It was blown up by the Germans in retreat in 1945 and rebuilt in 1951 with material recovered from the river. Walking across the bridge, with views of the castle and the Ádige, is part of the experience, and there is no charge to cross.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 1h30 to 2 hours for the museum; 15 minutes to cross the bridge.
Best time
In the morning for the museum. The bridge looks beautiful in the late afternoon, with the sun low over the river.
How to get there
About a 10-minute walk from Piazza Bra along Corso Castelvecchio.
Tip
Carlo Scarpa's route is part of the visit: notice the walkways and the details in concrete, steel and wood. Combine with the Basilica di San Zeno, about a 15-minute walk following the river.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Museo di Castelvecchio
What's inside Castelvecchio?
The city's art museum, with medieval sculptures, paintings by artists such as Pisanello, Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini, Veronese and Tintoretto, ancient weapons, and the equestrian statue of Cangrande I.
Is the castle bridge the original?
It dates from 1354 to 1356, but was blown up in 1945 and rebuilt in 1951 with bricks and stones recovered from the river, following the original design.
Do you have to pay to cross the Ponte di Castelvecchio?
No. The bridge is a pedestrian crossing and there is no charge to cross it. The ticket is only for the museum.