Name: Castelvecchio Museum
Address: Corso Castelvecchio, 2, 37121 Verona VR, Italy
Telephone: 045 806 2611
Rating: 4.6

Collection of sculpture, statues, paintings, ancient weapons & more within a restored palace.

Verona Arena

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Gardaland Resort

Juliet’s House

Scaliger Castle

Prato della Valle

Castelvecchio Museum is housed within a 14th-century medieval castle built by the powerful Della Scala family.

Medieval Castle

The castle now serves as a fine art gallery, showcasing a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, and artifacts.

Fine Art Collection

The museum underwent a significant restoration by renowned architect Carlo Scarpa, blending modern design with the castle's historical character.

Architectural Restoration

Castelvecchio was built alongside the Ponte Scaligero, a picturesque bridge spanning the River Adige.

Bridge Connection

After the Della Scala family's rule, Castelvecchio served as a munitions depot and later housed the Venetian Military Academy.

Venetian Era

During the 1797 revolt against the French, Castelvecchio was used as a barracks and witnessed several battles.

French Revolt

Castelvecchio Museum

Castelvecchio Museum, housed within the formidable Scaliger castle in Verona, transcends the typical museum experience. Its architectural significance lies not merely in its medieval origins, but in Carlo Scarpa's masterful restoration completed in the 1960s. Scarpa's intervention is a dialogue between the ancient and modern, where concrete and steel subtly complement the original brickwork. He designed specific mountings for each artwork, considering light and perspective to enhance the viewing experience. The museum's collection emphasizes Veronese painting and sculpture, featuring works from the 14th to 18th centuries. A particular highlight is the collection of medieval arms and armor, displayed in a way that evokes their original martial purpose. Scarpa's design even extends to the courtyard, where a statue of Cangrande I della Scala, the castle's original builder, stands sentinel, seemingly floating above the ground. The museum's unique character stems from this fusion of historical artifact and modern architectural vision, making it a landmark of museum design.

Introduction

Castelvecchio Museum, originally the Scaliger Fortress, stands as a testament to the Della Scala family's power in 14th-century Verona. Built by Cangrande II della Scala in 1354, the fortress was not designed as defense against external enemies, but against the Veronese populace, reflecting the Scaliger's fear of internal revolt amidst growing discontent with their increasingly despotic rule. This inward focus is evident in its design, intended to safeguard the ruling family.

The fortress features imposing walls, vast towers, and a moat, all indicative of its defensive purpose. The Ponte Scaligero, a fortified bridge, provided the Della Scala family with a secure escape route towards the Adige Valley and beyond. The fortress's strategic location astride the ancient city walls offered multiple escape routes, whether towards the city, countryside, or via the river.

After the Scaliger's downfall, Castelvecchio served various purposes under Venetian, French, and Austrian rule, including use as a munitions depot and barracks. The Lords of Scala fled Verona through the bridge of Castelvecchio, marking the end of their reign. Today, the castle's courtyard, towers, and patrol walkways are accessible, offering a glimpse into its past as a formidable Scaliger stronghold. The equestrian statue of Cangrande I della Scala, originally from his tomb, now resides within the museum, connecting visitors to the castle's original builders.

Scaliger Fortress

Castelvecchio Museum houses an extensive collection of Veronese art and sculpture, spanning from the Romanesque period through the Renaissance. The museum displays Veronese artworks, showcasing the evolution of local artistic styles. The collection includes Romanesque and Gothic sculptures that demonstrate expressive power. The Della Scala family residential structure hosts the paintings gallery, which features old gothic paintings.

Key highlights include works by medieval masters such as Pisanello's "Madonna of the quail" and Stefano da Verona's "Madonna of the Rose garden." The fifteenth-century painting section from the Veneto region allows visitors to compare Giovanni Bellini's delicate approach to expressing feelings with Andrea Mantegna's more austere style. Significant artists in this section include Carlo Crivelli and Vittore Carpaccio.

Sixteenth-century painting is represented by Paolo Caliari, known as Paolo Veronese, with his "Madonna on the Throne." The museum also features paintings on stone, a unique aspect of Veronese artworks during the 17th century. Masterpieces by Veronese artists such as Francesco Caroto, Paolo Morando, and Girolamo dai Libri are showcased, including early works by Paolo Caliari. Girolamo dai Libri's codex collection shows his ability to paint accurate details on minute surfaces. Francesco Caroto's "Young Man with a Drawing of a Puppet" is an emblematic painting, exemplifying the lively painting schools that developed in Verona.

Veronese Art Collection

Castelvecchio Museum's medieval sculpture collection, located on the first floor, showcases the evolution of Veronese sculpture from the Romanesque style to early Renaissance examples. The collection is housed within a series of rooms connected by arches. Noteworthy are the elegant and slender tufa statues from the School of the Master of Saint Anastasia, crafted according to Gothic canons. These sculptures, originally painted and retaining traces of vivid colors, depict saints from various city churches that were destroyed or renovated over the centuries.

A particularly impactful piece is a stone crucifixion, notable for its realism and Central-European influences, depicting the Passion of Christ and the suffering of the Virgin Mary and Saint John. The sculpture section culminates with a "St Martin and the poor man," a piece fully realized in the Renaissance style, evident in the anatomical rendering of the human body and the horse, as well as the harmonious proportions of the composition.

Additionally, the statue of Cangrande, which once adorned his monumental tomb, is displayed in the courtyard of the residential wing of the castle. The original was moved to Castelvecchio to preserve it from the weather, replaced by a replica on the tomb. This equestrian statue is a key example of the period's sculpture.

Medieval Sculpture

Carlo Scarpa's transformative work at the Castelvecchio Museum began in 1957, marking a pivotal moment in his career and redefining museum design. Tasked with restoring and reorganizing the medieval castle, Scarpa embarked on a project that exemplified his approach to harmonizing the old with the new. His methodology involved identifying and removing arbitrary additions to reveal the building's original structure. Scarpa employed unique architectural devices, such as strategically placed windows and cross-sections, to expose the historical layers of the monument, allowing visitors to appreciate its evolution over time.

Scarpa integrated a cohesive museum itinerary, punctuated by brief outdoor excursions, and implemented a rigorous exhibition system that fostered visual connections between artworks. His design reached its zenith with the dramatic presentation of the equestrian statue of Cangrande I della Scala. Scarpa masterfully combined ancient materials like stone and wood with modern elements such as bare and bush-hammered concrete. He also reinterpreted traditional techniques, like colored stucco surfaces, to create a bold, contemporary aesthetic.

Scarpa's restoration, documented in 657 detailed drawings, showcases his meticulous attention to detail and commitment to preserving the castle's historical integrity while enhancing its architectural value. Despite the project's protracted timeline and interruptions, Scarpa maintained exceptional coherence, resulting in a design considered his masterpiece. His innovative approach continues to influence museum design and restoration practices worldwide.

Carlo Scarpa's Restoration

Castelvecchio Museum prominently features Cangrande della Scala, the most important lord of Verona, through various significant artifacts and displays. The museum houses Cangrande's statue, originally placed atop his monumental tomb, now positioned outside under a roof extension after being replaced by a replica to protect it from the elements. This statue depicts him armed, ready for battle, with a dog-headed helmet and a striking smile meant to represent his magnanimous spirit.

Inside, you can find Cangrande's sword, removed from his sarcophagus in 1921, displayed in an illuminated case. Near the sword are precious medieval jewels, including a gold star, a brooch, and a pearl-covered belt, believed to be part of the Scaliger treasure, possibly hidden during the Visconti entrance to Verona.

Furthermore, equestrian statues of Cangrande and Mastino II della Scala, initially placed on the Arche, the Scala family's funeral monuments, are now key features along the Castelvecchio patrol walkways. These walkways, restored in 2007, offer unusual perspectives of the castle and city, allowing visitors to experience the atmosphere dominated by the Scala lords. The statue of Cangrande, armed for battle, captures his powerful presence and generous nature, providing a focal point that embodies the spirit of the Della Scala family's rule in Verona.

Cangrande della Scala

Castelvecchio's architectural significance lies in its transformation from a defensive fortress to a modern museum space, showcasing a dialogue between medieval construction and 20th-century design. Originally built in 1355 by the Della Scala family, the castle served as both a residence and a military stronghold, undergoing modifications by Venetian, French, and Austrian forces who utilized it as barracks. This history of adaptation is physically evident in the castle's structure.

The most transformative architectural intervention occurred in 1957, with Carlo Scarpa's restoration. Scarpa's design integrated modern materials like concrete, steel, and glass within the ancient structure, creating a unique exhibition space. His approach involved respecting the original fabric of the castle while introducing contemporary elements to enhance the visitor experience and redefine internal spaces. Scarpa's work is characterized by a shared approach, weaving together the restoration of the building and its architecture with the work of laying it out as a museum.

Architects and students worldwide study Scarpa's solutions within Castelvecchio, focusing on his innovative use of space and the harmonious blend of different eras. The exhibition route winds through restored courts, salons, and medieval walls, coherently connected by Scarpa's designs. His work exemplifies how historical buildings can be adapted for modern use while preserving their original character, making Castelvecchio a pivotal example of architectural evolution.

Castelvecchio Museum

Did You Know?

Medieval Castle

Fine Art Collection

Architectural Restoration

Bridge Connection

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