Scaligero Castle

Symbol of Sirmione, the Scaligero Castle welcomes you at the entrance to the historic center with its towers and the geometries of battlements and walls, which outline its profile. Upon entering you will discover the courtyard, the walkways and the dock where the ships found refuge. Conclude your visit by climbing the high tower of the castle and enjoy the view that our Benaco gives you.

History

The Scaligero Castle of Sirmione is a fortification built after the mid-fourteenth century on the waters of the lake at the urging of the Veronese Della Scala family, from which it takes the name “Rocca Scaligera”.
In the intentions and projects of Cansignorio and Antonio II Della Scala, to whose period it is traced back, it was to serve as a defensive post for the entire territory of Verona and its surroundings over which the Della Scala family dominated between 1259 and 1387.
It later lost its importance in favor of the Rocca di Peschiera and was used as a warehouse and barracks, until the restoration carried out in 1919 which returned it to its current appearance.

The legend of the ghost

The atmosphere of a suggestive legend envelops the Scaligero Castle of Sirmione: in a past time, according to an ancient local tradition, it was the home of two young and noble spouses, Ebengardo and his beloved Arice.
On a stormy night the knight Elaberto del Feltrino asked for asylum and was immediately won over by Arice’s attractiveness. Determined to have her at all costs, Elaberto went in search of her and attacked her, but Arice fought with all her strength and Elaberto killed her. At that moment Ebengardo arrived and, upon seeing his now dead wife, drew his weapon and avenged her.
Since then it is said that the ghost of Ebengardo wanders through the rooms of the castle in search of her Arice.