Castelvecchio was built between 1354 and 1356 as the main military stronghold of the Della Scala family, who ruled Verona from 1262 to 1387. Its brick walls, swallowtail battlements and towers stand right on the river, joined to the far bank by the Ponte Scaligero, a fortified bridge that gave the lords an escape route to the north. Today the castle holds the Castelvecchio Museum, the best collection of art in the city, laid out in 29 rooms: Romanesque and Gothic sculpture, Veronese and Venetian painting from the medieval period to the eighteenth century, weapons, ceramics, goldsmith’s work and the city’s old bells. The museum is just as famous for its setting. In the late 1950s the architect Carlo Scarpa, working with the director Licisco Magagnato, transformed the interiors into one of the landmarks of modern museum design, with the equestrian statue of Cangrande I della Scala displayed on a dramatic outdoor platform.
How it works: the museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from morning to late afternoon, with last entry three-quarters of an hour before closing. It is closed on Mondays, apart from extra openings such as Monday 7 December 2026, and on 25 December and 1 January. Entry is included in the VeronaCard. The Ponte Scaligero is free to cross at any time and makes a fine walk in its own right.
What to see: follow the route through the sculpture galleries on the ground floor, then up through the walkways and towers, where Scarpa’s use of concrete, steel, wood and light frames each piece. The figure of Cangrande, smiling on horseback with his crested helmet thrown back, is the moment everyone remembers. Upstairs, look for works by Pisanello, Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini, Veronese and Tiepolo, and walk out onto the battlements for views over the river.
Good to know: the museum is only partly accessible, with a lift that reaches the painting gallery only, and the route involves stairs and uneven floors. Allow at least an hour and a half. The castle is a ten-minute walk from Piazza Bra along Corso Cavour, and the bridge is lovely at sunset, when the brick glows red over the water.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided route through a medieval castle turned art museum, followed by a walk across the fortified bridge over the Adige.
Best time
A weekday morning for quiet galleries, then the bridge in the late afternoon for the light on the brick and the river.
How long
About an hour and a half to two hours for the museum, plus time on the bridge.
Tips
Remember that it is closed on Mondays, wear comfortable shoes for the stairs and uneven floors, and do not miss Cangrande on his outdoor platform.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Art and architecture lovers, and anyone who wants to see the Verona of the Della Scala lords.
- Families
- Children enjoy the castle walls, armour and the walk over the battlemented bridge, though the galleries suit older kids best.
- Couples
- Walk across the Ponte Scaligero at sunset after the museum, when the brick glows red over the river.
- Pair with
- The food tour, which starts nearby, and the Basilica of San Zeno a short walk further west.
- Time needed
- Two hours, including the bridge.
Good questions
Is Castelvecchio open on Mondays?+
No, Castelvecchio Museum is closed on Mondays, apart from occasional extra openings such as 7 December 2026. It opens Tuesday to Sunday.
Is the Castelvecchio bridge free?+
Yes, the Ponte Scaligero is a public bridge, free to walk across at any time. Only the museum inside the castle charges entry.
Who designed the Castelvecchio Museum?+
The interiors were redesigned in the late 1950s by the architect Carlo Scarpa, with the museum director Licisco Magagnato. It is considered a masterpiece of modern museum design.
Is Castelvecchio included in the VeronaCard?+
Yes, entry to Castelvecchio Museum is free with the VeronaCard. It is one of the best-value sights on the card.
How long do you need at Castelvecchio?+
Plan on about an hour and a half for the museum. Add time for the battlements and a walk across the bridge.
