Scaligeri Graves

The tombs are enclosed by a wrought iron fence with a stairs motif, the symbol of the family, while the sarcophagi are positioned on the ground or on raised surfaces.

The ark of Cangrande I Della Scala, placed above the portal of the church, was the first of the tombs to be built in the 14th century by will of the deceased.
It was designed by the same architect of the Church of S. Anastasia who designed a Gothic tabernacle supported by dogs in solemn barding; on the lid lies the statue of the deceased, while the sides are adorned with depictions of religious themes in high relief and military bas-reliefs. On top of the baldachin is a replica of the equestrian statue of Cangrande I. Since 1921, the original has been kept at the Museum of Castelvecchio along with his grave goods.

The construction of the ark of Mastino II began in 1345 and its design underwent numerous changes over the years: originally, it was painted and gilded, enclosed by a railing with four statues of the Virtues at its corners. The sides of the ark are adorned with religious motifs while a statue of Mastino II lies on the lid, watched over by two angels. The baldachin has trilobate arches and features religious high-reliefs on the front, counterpoised by the equestrian statue of Mastino II, currently replaced by a copy while the original was recently moved to the clock tower of Castelvecchio.

The ark of Cansignorio dates back to 1375 and is the most richly decorated. The sculptures, designed by Bonino da Campione, depict holy warriors, characters from the Gospels, Virtues and Apostles, plus the large equestrian statue of Cansignorio.

The richly sculpted sarcophagus of Alberto I, made in 1301 and the hanging ark of Giovanni della Scala are included in this spectacular gothic complex.

FAQ

What are the "Arche"?
It is a monumental Gothic-style funerary complex of the Della Scala family intended to contain the "Arche" (i.e. the tombs) of the most illustrious representatives of the family.

Can you see the Arche Scaligere even without entering the courtyard?
The Arche are also perfectly visible from the outside. The wrought iron fence allows the vision of both the sarcophagi on the ground and those on raised floors.

Is it possible to visit the courtyard?
It is possible to enter in the courtyard during the summer season, from April to September.

Is the monument accessible to people with disabilities?
The monument is completely accessible.

Is it possible to access to the monument with animals?
It is possible to access the monument only with small dogs only inside special bags (pet carrier). Guide dogs for the visually impaired, assistance dogs for the disabled and alert dogs (diabetes, epilepsy, etc.) are always allowed. Dogs are not allowed in the case of guided tours; coffee breaks; set-ups; in the case of special temporary exhibitions that require special maintenance; if female, during the period of estrum and in pregnancy and in case of illness. To know the complete requirements for admission to the monument and the responsibilities of those who visit the museum with their dog, we invite you to take a look at the complete pet policy attached.