THE CASTLE is a medieval military structure that has been built over the ruins of an old Roman fortress. It belonged to the counts San Bonifacio of Verona in the 10th century and later became the property of the illustrious feudal lords named Greppi who handed it over the city-state of Verona in 1270 when they moved to Lombardy. The new family, the Scaligeri, renovated and enlarged it, not without few difficulties and bitter battles, under the power of Mastino I della Scala, Mastino II della Scala and Cansignorio. After the Scaligeri dynasty, in 1387 the Visconti, a family from Milan, took over to be later succeeded by the Carrara family, lords of Padua. The most memorable battle fought for its possession was in 16th century when the Soavesi drove out the enemies of the Venetian Republic. In 1696 the Gritti family became the owner of the castle. In this period the fortress lost its original military importance and became a farm. Only in 1890 Giulio Camuzzoni, ancestor of the actual family owner of the castle, restored it. An old drawbridge, protected by a big tower, called St. George's tower, allows the entry into the castle.
Inside, three courtyards of different shape, size and level surround the highest tower of the castle, called "Mastio".
The first courtyard (1163,90 mq) was realized by the Venetian Republic in the XV century and still preserves the ruins of a X century chapel used in the past by the local population.
The second courtyard (2921,60 mq) is the biggest one. It is also called "courtyard of the Virgin Mary" because of a fresco of the XIV century dedicated to the Virgin.
The third courtyard (972,18 mq) is the highest one since it should have been the last place of defence against enemy attacks. Here is to be found the well, as old as the castle itself, with its deeply grooved stone parapet to bear witness of the primitive methods used to draw water. From the middle of the courtyard rises the keep, last bastion of defence and also of imprisonment and torture.
Inside the castle there are numerous old documents and arms and trappings of the Scaligeri soldiers: in addition, a small medieval well preserved house of three rooms with earthenware pottery and furnished in accurate period style.
The palaces
PALACE OF THE COUNTS OF SAMBONIFACIO
It is a building of the 14th century. The Counts San Bonifacio, who were the owners of the area, lived here and it is said that they were also the owners of the castle. A legend says that after the Counts San Bonifacio, a poor young girl whose favourite hobby was playing the Iute lived in the palace. A young knight, who lived in the castle, fell in love with her and, in order to meet her without being seen by the other people, built a long secret tunnel from the castle to the fireplace room of the girl's house. The room still exists and it is both an area of art exhibitions and the seat of the Cantina del Castello winery.
CAVALLI PALACE
Just opposite St.Lorenzo's church rises Cavalli's Palace. Nicolò Cavalli built it in 1411 in a Venetian Gothic style, with trilobate windows and a loggia on the ground floor. After the 15th century the front had been painted with mythological subjects that are now completely ruined. Today the owner of the palace is a family by the name of Pomini.
PALACE OF JUSTICE (LAW COURTS)
It was the place of the old Courthouse. Cansignorio built it in 1375 and it is the most notable and interesting monument after the castle. Its construction was possible thanks to the 22 municipalities which owed fealty to the Captaincy of Soave. It has a loggia with four large Gothic arches on the ground floor, and a statue of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child on her knees in a balcony in the middle of the façade. Under the balcony an inscription points out the year of the construction of the building.
PULLICI PALACE
The Pullici family built it in the 13th century. It has been restored in the last couple of years, but it is still possible to see the ancient arches and the original windows it had in the past. In this house Ippolito Nievo (one of the greatest Italian authors) spent the early years of his life. The palace is today property of the Pieropan family with its ancient tradition of wine making.
SCALIGERO'S PALACE OR OF THE CAPTAIN
It was built by order of Cansignorio della Scala in 1279 and later became the residence of the Soave magistrates and governors. During the Venetian Republic, it was the residence of the Captains. It currently houses the offices of the municipal authority. The last owner of the palace was the Zanella family, who gave the whole building to Soave with the nearby beautiful Italian garden, today still known as Zanella Garden.
The churches
PARISH CHURCH
It was built in renaissance style. It is the main church of Soave and its modern look, is the result of a lot of restorations. It was first built in 1303 and then destroyed in 1744 because it was too small in relation to the population of that period. Entering the church, the building has only a nave and two big lateral chapels that form the shape of a cross. The altars are in a baroque style. The pictures on the wall are of very high value: They are paintings by the artist Veronese, Cignaroli and Mattielli and Francesco Morone's altar piece represents the Virgin, St.Gioachino and God.
DOMINICANI'S CHURCH
It was built in 1433 in Lombardic style. The Domenican Friars who lived in a small monastery just near the church governed it. The monastery has now become the public library of Soave. The church is no longer used for religious services; today it is used for a lot of different exhibitions. It still preserves the ruins, partly restored, of the ancient frescos.
CHURCH OF ST.ROCCO
It was built in the XV century on the site of an old Roman cemetery. The façade was originally turned to the west side.
CHURCH OF MADONNA DELLA BASSANELLA
It is a church consecrated to the Virgin Mary. It is said that the Virgin appeared and talked to some shepherds in the Ponsara Valley next to Soave. After this apparition a statue of the Virgin was found in this place as to say that a church should have been built there. It was first built in 1098 and later destroyed. Now it has the shape of the church rebuilt in 1836. The square in front of the church was once smaller than it is now. It has been enlarged in because of the Jubilee celebrations.
