Castello di Soave

The main entrance, equipped with a drawbridge, is protected in the medieval manner by a mighty tower, on which stands a bas-relief of Saint George.
Crossing the drawbridge, one enters the first courtyard, built by the Republic of Venice in the 15th century. In the courtyard, one can see the remains of an ancient modest-sized church with three apses, whose origins can be dated back to the 10th century, during the raids of the Hungarians. This structure was built for the local population seeking refuge there.

As one ascends, they enter the second courtyard, the largest one, known as “della Madonna.” The entrance door is topped by a tower, on whose wall there is a fresco depicting the Virgin. The painting is dated June 1st, 1321.

In the last courtyard, the highest and smallest, rises the tower, or Mastio, which represented the last and most vigorous bastion of defense and which was likely a place of imprisonment and torture, as evidenced by human bones discovered here during restoration work. To the left of the entrance door to the courtyard, there is a fresco from 1340 depicting a shield with the four-step Scaliger ladder supported by two rampant dogs; in the background, a warrior followed by a retinue of soldiers with a Scaliger flag.
In the middle of this courtyard, there is a well. Beside the Mastio stands the palace with the Guardhouse, where one can admire the weapons of the Scaliger soldiers. In the inner courtyard, as in the middle one, the original existence of soldiers' barracks can be verified.

An external staircase leads up to the residence of the Lord or his representative in the Manor: a well-preserved medieval house. The staircase leads into the central room called “La Caminata” because of the large fireplace.
A small door leads into a small hanging courtyard created some years after the Republic of Venice took possession of the Castle from the Carraresi (15th century).
From a door in the “Caminata,” one passes to the bedroom, where an important fresco from the 1200s can be admired, depicting the crucified Christ, the Virgin Mary, and Mary Magdalene.

The other room is the dining room, well-furnished and sumptuously decorated. Around the walls are chests and chairs, while in the glass case on the sideboard are displayed shards of pottery discovered in the necropolis of the area.
Continuing, one enters a small room where five portraits are displayed on the walls: Mastino I, the founder of the fortunes of the Della Scala family; Cangrande, the most illustrious figure of the Signoria; Dante Alighieri, the poet who was a guest of the Scaligers in Soave; Taddea da Carrara, wife of Mastino II, successor to Cangrande; Cansignorio della Scala, who was credited with the restoration and expansion of the Castle. He surrounded Soave with walls and built the Palace of Justice and the Scaliger Palace (or Captain's Palace).

Exiting through a small door and ascending a few steps, one arrives at the “path of the ramparts” which allows access to the Mastio, the highest point of the Castle, from which a wonderful panorama of the Veronese hills and the Po Valley can be admired.

The Castle can be reached on foot from Piazza dell’Antenna, located in the center of the medieval village, or by car using the road that ascends from the north of the town.