The real gem of the Italian town of Malcesine rises just a few steps from the picturesque shore of Lake Garda with its warm azure waters. The "swallowtails" battlements on its facade stand out against the background.

The majestic Captain's Palace was built in the 13th century by the same Scaliger family that rebuilt almost all the outstanding sights in the vicinity of Lake Garda. It was originally erected on the ruins of an ancient structure built in the Romanesque style during the Roman Empire.

After that, the simple massive walls and modest interiors were rebuilt many times, turning the palace into a magnificent architectural monument in the Venetian style and luxurious interior decoration, like in the best medieval Italian palazzo, by the 15th century.

The palace got its resounding name, the Captain's Palace, due to numerous changes of its owners. In 1897, the town of Malcesine became its only owner and initiated a thorough restoration within the palace walls.

Today, the Captain's Palace is open to tourists. Its spacious basement is of particular artistic interest, as its hides a delightful original fresco, which depicts the coat of arms of Verona and the symbol of Venice, the winged lion of St. Mark. From here, a central stone staircase leads visitors to the second floor of the palace, a luxurious hall with spacious Venetian windows and a balcony offering fantastic views of Lake Garda and the surrounding area. The old coffered ceiling is decorated with the coats of arms of Italian families and floral patterns. The massive wooden door is faced with local stone and fine narrow bas-reliefs. The second floor of the palace was once occupied by servants' rooms. Today, the town library is located here.

A charming palace garden leading to the lakeshore completes the magnificent ensemble. Previously, the captain's ship (owned by the palace owner) was moored here, and today this place is known for its wonderful scenery and cool clear air blowing from the water surface.