The Fortress, built in 1278 by Mastino I della Scala lord of Verona, probably on the remains of a Roman fortification. Thanks to its territorial position on the border, it becomes the focal point of the Scaliger system of defense and control of the Garda’s chessboard and its dock, still in perfect condition, is a rare case of fortification destined for port use. The walls and the three massive major towers are characterized by dovetail battlements, characteristic of the Scaliger buildings; behind these three towers emerges the imposing keep, 47 meters high, under which there were cells for prisoners. About a century later were added two courtyards and an independent fortification, connected by barbican to the main one, to increase the defences of the fortress.
In 1405 Venice annexed Sirmione to its Republic and began a work of strengthening the walls and expanding the now obsolete dock of the Scala. The dock is also defended by towers but, unlike those inside the castle, are not dovetailed battlements. On one side of the dock there is an external moat that flows directly into the lake. The current appearance was defined during the restoration work carried out between 1917 and 1935.
The visit of the mighty manor, completely surrounded by water, provides access to the courtyards through an internal porch where there is a Roman and medieval lapidary and, passing the drawbridge leading to the second fence, the possibility to climb on the keep and on the walkways of the walls from which you can admire the picturesque dock, an ancient refuge of the Scaliger fleet, and a beautiful view.
