Soave castle stands on the Tenda hill, 23 km. east from Verona. Its is believed to have been built during the 10th century by order of king Berengario I in order to protect the city from the Hungarian attacks. During the following years the owners repeatedly changed. The history of the castle is full of enemy attacks, feudal fractions, falls and rises. In 1270 it became property of the city of Verona. The Scaligeri family renovated and enlarged it under the rule of Mastino I della Scala, Mastino II della Scala and Consignorio della Scala. After it underwent a series of ups and downs, the castle lost its strategic importance and in 1596 it was sold on the private market.
Description: the castle /picture source: Shutterstock.com/;
The Soave castle has the appearance of a typical medieval military fortress. It consists of a tower and three rows of walls. The last row, with a gate and a fall-bridge, was the last to be built by the Venetians in the 15th century. Between these walls there are the remains of a small church of the 10th century. The second row of the wall is the largest of the three. It is also the first one that was built. The most impressive part of the castle is the tower. The bones that were found inside prove that it was used as a prison and a place for tortures. Inside the castle you can enjoy exhibitions of coins, weapons, portraits of the members of the Scaligeri family and even a portrait of Danre, because of which it is supposed that the poet has resided in the castle.
Address: the town of Soave is only 23 km. away from Verona. You can reach it by driving on highway A4 and take the Soave – San Bonifacio exit. The road to the castle itself (via Castello Scaliger) starts from the central square Piazza Antenna.