Italy in Photos

Castello Scaligero di Lazise Lazise

The Castello Scaligero di Lazise is one of the most striking monuments on the eastern shore of Lake Garda, a fortress that embodies the medieval history and enduring identity of the town. Rising just behind the historic centre of Lazise, its towers and crenellated walls immediately capture the attention of visitors, recalling an era when the Scaligeri, the powerful lords of Verona, dominated this part of northern Italy. Today, the castle stands as both a historical landmark and a visual symbol of Lazise’s proud past, even though it is privately owned and not open to the public.

The origins of the Castello Scaligero di Lazise date back to the ninth and tenth centuries, when the first fortifications were built to defend the settlement from invasions. Its strategic position along the lakeshore made it an important stronghold, guarding the town and controlling access to one of Lake Garda’s key routes. In the fourteenth century, under the rule of the Scaligeri family, the fortress was rebuilt and expanded into the form that largely survives today. With high curtain walls, corner towers, and a commanding keep, the castle exemplifies the military architecture of the period, designed to resist siege and demonstrate power.

The castle is closely linked to the fortified walls of Lazise, which still encircle much of the old town. Together, they formed a defensive system that gave Lazise a prominent role in the medieval history of Lake Garda. The fortifications, later maintained under Venetian rule, helped protect the thriving fishing and trading community within. While Lazise’s military importance declined in later centuries, the castle remained a landmark, its silhouette etched into the town’s identity.

In modern times, the Castello Scaligero di Lazise has taken on a new role. Though privately owned and therefore inaccessible for regular visits, it provides a dramatic backdrop for the town’s cultural and social life. Its towers and walls, rising above the surrounding gardens, can be admired from many vantage points, and its presence continues to define the skyline of Lazise. During festivals and local events, the castle becomes a central point of reference, symbolizing continuity between past and present.