Discover Castello Scaligero di Malcesine

The castle is built onto the rock rather than on it -- the walls rise straight out of the natural stone, following its shape, which is why the plan is irregular rather than square.

It rises in three enclosures at different levels, ending at the tall square keep that is the landmark from the lake.

The masonry is pale local limestone with swallowtail merlons -- the Ghibelline form the Scaligeri used, declaring their imperial allegiance, as at Soave and Sirmione.

The keep can be climbed, and the view from the top runs the length of the upper lake with Monte Baldo rising behind.

Because the site is a rock, the interior is a sequence of terraces, courtyards and stairs rather than rooms on a floor -- the castle is essentially vertical.