Although the most visited attraction in Verona is the House of Juliet, which is not related to the history of this city, the most important historical landmark here is undoubtedly Old Castle (Castelvecchio). This architectural monument served as a great defensive fortress during the reign of the ancient Italian Scaliger family. But even today its impressive appearance makes an unforgettable impression on visitors.

Simple in design and grand in size, the Gothic Old Castle was built in the 14th century by the decree of the ruler of Verona, Cangrande II della Scala. After more than 20 years of construction, the solid stone walls with battlements shaped as "fishtails" started to tower over Verona, defending the city.

The monumental medieval fortress comprised four main buildings, seven observation towers, and a tall, slender donjon. All the buildings of the castle and six towers, including the donjon, have survived to this day. The strategically advantageous location also played an essential role back then. The castle was built on the bank of the Adige River, its waters filled a deep moat surrounding the ancient fortress.

Initially, the majestic castle was named San Martino al Ponte in honor of the nearby Church of St. Martin. But after the new St. Peter's Castle (Castel San Pietro) had been built on the city hill, it was named Old Castle, or Castelvecchio in Italian.

The ancient castle has not always served as a defense. It was a fortress protecting the inhabitants of Verona, military barracks, and an armory. But today, it houses one of the largest museums in Northern Italy that displays a splendid collection of medieval paintings and sculptures. The first floor is occupied by masterpieces of Romanesque and Gothic sculpture, the second shows visitors Gothic painting, as well as works by such great Renaissance masters as Tintoretto, Luca Giordano, Pisanello, and Paolo Veronese.