San Pietro Castle

Verona was founded to the site of current Castel San Pietro. This green hill, crowned by cypresses, is home to the remains of the first settlements dating back to the 7th century B.C. From this magnificent vantage-point you can enjoy the view of the whole city spreading out, with its network of Roman Roads, its walls, tall towers and steeples and, if your eyesight is good, you can even make out part of the Arena and the Ponte Scaligero. The current castle was built in 1393, commissioned by Gian Galeazzo Visconti.

At the foot of the hill flows the river Adige, and, on the site of the first ford (used for centuries) the suggestive Ponte Pietra (roman Stone Bridge). At the top of the hill stands the Austrian Fortress erected in the 19th century and which can be reached by a stair-way near the Roman Theatre. He pre-existing castle, on which the fortress rests and from which it takes its name, was erected towards the end oh the 14th century, during the first reign of the Visconti. Napoleon’s troops in 1801, and later the Austrians demolished much of this medieval structure.

The palace is not open to the public.

References:

• Verona Tourism

Address

Piazzale Castel San Pietro 2, Verona, Italy

Details

Founded: 1393
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy