Once built over several decades, Malcesine castle Castello Scaligero is a must-visit in this city on the eastern shores of Lake Garda. The Castello Scaligero di Malcesine is a high castle located directly on the shore of the lake, which found its first mention in the year 590. Over the years it has been inhabited and managed by various “countries” and owners, including the Bishop of Verona through the conquest of the Hungarians, or Napoleon Bonaparte.
Only in 2013 Malcesine castle Castello Scaligero became the property of the municipality of Malcesine. Nowadays the castle is a top destination on Lake Garda for dreamlike views over the landscape and the lake. In addition, there is a small museum (on the natural history of Lake Garda (Museo del Garda) and Monte Baldo (Museo del Baldo)), as well as space for temporary exhibitions inside the old walls such as a photography presentation. Also, a special room, the Powder Chamber, is dedicated to the German poet Johann W. von Goethe. He already got to know the Malcesine castle Castello Scaligero complex on his famous trip to Italy in 1786, Italienreise, or The Italian Journey, and so also mentioned it in his publication of the same name.
However, the building complex we find today does not originate from the same period. In total, there are four different construction periods, of which the castle gradually spread from the highest point slowly downwards.
The entrance fee of 6 Euros per person is okay, even though not fully worthwhile as some descriptions in the exhibitions are in the Italian language only, making it hard to understand or learn something if you’re not speaking the language. Other descriptions are available in three languages, Italian, German and English though. Also, there is not very much to see, even including taking pictures you won’t need more than 30 to 45 minutes at the Castle complex. It’s a nice place to visit, however, I would not visit it a second time.
Malcesine castle Castello Scaligero
Address: Via Castello, 37018 Malcesine VR, Italy
Opening hours: daily 09:30 am – 6 pm
Entrance fee: 6 Euros per adult, 3 Euros for children, 5 Euros reduced (seniors, teenagers, students)
Website: visitmalcesine.com/it/esperienze/il-castello-scaligero-di-malcesine
