Palazzo dei Capitani is an historic palace located in the centre of Malcesine, on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. Built originally between the 13th and 14th centuries on older Roman and Romanesque remains, the palace has undergone several transformations across centuries and today stands as a protected national monument. It occupies a prominent position near the lakefront and the port, making it an emblematic building that reflects the layered political and architectural history of the region. With its Venetian-Gothic style facade, frescoed interior, elegant halls, and tranquil lakeside garden, Palazzo dei Capitani offers a fascinating glimpse of the past: from feudal lords to Venetian magistrates, from private noble residence to modern civic building. Short History of Palazzo dei Capitani The site of Palazzo dei Capitani in Malcesine traces back to ancient times: the building was erected over Roman and early medieval (Romanesque) remains. The first version of the palace was constructed by the ruling family of Verona, the Scaligeri (also known as the della Scala), sometime between the late 13th and early 14th centuries. At some point, the original structure was reduced to simple walls – likely as a result of a disaster such as a fire Read more [...]
All SEE in Malcesine
The main landmark of Malcesine is the Scaliger Castle, a medieval fortress on the shore of Lake Garda. Its origins go back to the Lombard period, but its name comes from the Scaliger rule between the 13th and 14th centuries. Today, it houses the Natural History Museum, the Goethe Room, and the open-air Lacaòr theatre.
Another important attraction is the Palazzo dei Capitani, located near the lake and now used as the town hall and library. The building includes remains from Roman and Scaliger periods and took its present Venetian-Gothic form in the 15th century. Malcesine also has historic churches, archaeological sites, mountain pastures, villas, parks, and several public beaches.
Port of Malcesine
The Port of Malcesine is a small picturesque port on the shore of Lake Garda, located in Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, in Malcesine. The port is surrounded by many restaurants, bars and cafes, where you can relax and admire the lake. There are also several hotels in the area. From the Port of Malcesine, you can take boat trips on the lake, to other towns located on its shores. HOW TO GET THERE On foot, the Port of Malcesine is located about 240 meters away from the Malcesine bus station. From there, you can take the ATV bus Line 484 to Garda, and then one of the buses 162, 163, 164, 165 to Verona.
Church of the Madonna della Fontana
The Church of the Madonna della Fontana is a church in Malcesine, located in Via Gardesana, about 1 kilometer away from Castello Scaligero. The church is called della Fontana (of the Fountain), because of a spring located nearby. SHORT HISTORY In 1532, a small oratory dedicated to the Virgin was built on this site by the Municipality of Malcesine. At the beginning of the 17th century, the need for a larger church appeared. The new church was completed and opened for worship in 1626. On July 25, 1797, the French of Napoleon Bonaparte closed the church, removed the registers and confiscated all the assets. In a state of neglect, the church was used as a warehouse during the First and the Second World War. After it was restored in 1959, the church was reopened for worship, and today is used only on specific holydays. ARCHITECTURE The facade of the church is plain, covered with yellow plaster. In the lower part of the facade, delimited from the upper one by a stone strip, there is a beautiful Baroque portal, surmounted by a tympanum and a coat of arms, flanked on the sides by two rectangular windows. In the upper Read more [...]
Castello Scaligero
Perched dramatically on a rocky promontory at the edge of Lake Garda, Castello Scaligero stands as the defining symbol of the town of Malcesine. The fortress – with its towers, lakeside walls and history-laden corridors – dominates both the skyline of the town and the panorama of the lake. Over centuries, it has witnessed invasions, political turnover, architectural renewals, and now serves as a window into the layered history of the Garda region. For visitors to Malcesine, Castello Scaligero is not only a monument – it is a journey through time, tracing Lombard origins, medieval power struggles, Venetian rule, Austrian fortifications – and ultimately a cherished heritage site offering stunning views over lake and mountains. Short History of Castello Scaligero The location of Castello Scaligero has been significant for centuries. Archaeological evidence suggests that the rocky hill where it stands was in use since ancient times, possibly as early as the late 1st millennium B.C. – even before Roman dominion. However, the fortress as it began to take recognizable shape was constructed by the Lombards (Longobardi) in the early Middle Ages, around the 5th–6th century A.D. Subsequently, in the year 590, the castle suffered destruction at the hands of Read more [...]
