Scaliger Castle of Sirmione
Rising from the waters of Lake Garda at the tip of Sirmione's narrow peninsula in Lombardy, the Scaliger Castle was begun around the mid-13th century by the Della Scala lords of Verona, who dominated the region until their expulsion by the Visconti in 1387. Surrounded by water and linked to shore by a drawbridge, it guards a fortified harbour — the only surviving example of a medieval fortified port of its kind in Italy.
Venice took control in 1405 and held it until a new stronghold at Peschiera del Garda made it redundant. Restored after WWI and again in 2018, visitors can climb its 47-metre keep and explore towers and walls that rank it among the most complete medieval fortresses in Italy.
Visitor information
- Location
- Sirmione, Lake Garda
- Country
- Italy
- Tier
- B (Great castles)
- Coordinates
- 45.4919, 10.6083
- Official site
- https://museilombardia.cultura.gov.it/musei/castello-scaligero-di-sirmione/
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Scaliger Castle of Sirmione?
- Scaliger Castle of Sirmione is in Sirmione, Lake Garda, Italy (approximately 45.4919, 10.6083).
- Can you visit Scaliger Castle of Sirmione?
- Yes — Scaliger Castle of Sirmione is open to visitors; see the official site at https://museilombardia.cultura.gov.it/musei/castello-scaligero-di-sirmione/ for hours and tickets.
- What tier is Scaliger Castle of Sirmione on the Castle Atlas?
- Scaliger Castle of Sirmione is rated B tier on the Castle Atlas — Great castles.
- What can you see at Scaliger Castle of Sirmione?
- Rising from the waters of Lake Garda at the tip of Sirmione's narrow peninsula in Lombardy, the Scaliger Castle was begun around the mid-13th century by the Della Scala lords of Verona, who dominated the region until their expulsion by the Visconti in 1387. Surrounded by water and linked to shore by a drawbridge, it guards a fortified harbour — the only surviving example of a medieval fortified port of its kind in Italy.