Lazise Castle Ruins
Description
This fortified town of Lazise was first mentioned in a document dated 983 AD, yet the present castle was erected during the reign of Bartolomeo and Antonio della Scala, as evidenced by the fact that the castle bears their initials in several places. The castle was at one time protected by draw-bridges and heavy gates. Judging by its size, the castle presumably served to offer protection (in time of strife) not only to the inhabitants of Lazise, but to those of the outlying districts as well. The size of the nearby military port also tends to support this theory.
During the period of Venetian domination, two fully-armed galleons were anchored here, yet by the end of the 16th century, the fortress no longer served as a military base and Venice handed it over first to Lazise and then to some noble families in the area.
Villa Bernini – Buri now comprises the castle and a park, the latter having been created when the port’s walls were taken down.