Scaligero Castle of Torri del Benaco

A Castle Integrated with the Village

At Torri del Benaco, the Scaligero Castle does not dominate the village from above, but is part of it: its walls embrace the small harbor like a natural extension of the town, and the Clock Tower marks the passage of everyday life for over six centuries. Rebuilt in 1383 by Antonio della Scala on the site of a previous fortification, the castle is among the most intact of those on the Veronese shore.

The Historic Lemon House

The distinctive feature that sets it apart from other Scaligeri castles is the internal lemon house. Built against the southern walls and protected from northern winds, this historic greenhouse is one of the last testimonies to citrus cultivation on the eastern shore of Lake Garda — an activity that from the 13th to the 19th century represented a fundamental source of income for the riverside communities. The lemon plants, still productive, are covered with wooden boards and glass during winter, according to a method unchanged for centuries.

The Ethnographic Museum

The ethnographic museum housed in the castle’s rooms tells the story of Lake Garda through its traditional crafts: fishing, with typical Latin-sail boats and carpione nets; olive cultivation, with presses and stone mills; commercial navigation, with models of vessels and historical nautical charts. One room is dedicated to prehistoric rock engravings found in the area, evidence of human settlements dating back to the Bronze Age.

Visit Information and Views

From the 22-meter-high tower, you can enjoy a view that encompasses much of the central lake: Punta San Vigilio, the Lombardy coast with Maderno and Gargnano, and on the clearest days the profile of Monte Pizzocolo. The internal courtyard, with its well and arches in local stone, hosts cultural events and musical evenings in summer. The visit lasts approximately 45 minutes. The castle is open from April to October, with continuous hours during the summer months. It is reached from the waterfront promenade of Torri del Benaco with a short walk. The ticket includes access to the museum, the lemon house, and the tower.