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Soave, between vineyards and castles
- Category What see Lake Garda and Verona
Soave and its wonderful castle.
Number of views: 6593Agriturismo - Where to stay overnight
Soave: the Scaliger Castle and historical notes
Soave is a walled village in the province of Verona, world‑famous both for its DOC white wine and for the magnificent Scaliger Castle that crowns its skyline. It is unclear whether the town gave its name to the wine or vice versa: according to a local legend, Dante Alighieri—guest at a banquet in the castle—called the nectar “soave,” meaning “sweet” or “smooth.” More likely, the name comes from a corruption of “Suevi,” the Germanic tribes who settled here under the Lombard king Alboin.
The Scaliger Castle is the area’s undisputed symbol. Probably built on the remains of a Roman castrum, the fortress is first mentioned in a document dated 934, when it defended the region against Hungarian raids. Clinging to the slope of Monte Tenda, it boasts a mighty keep, twenty‑four towers and three concentric walls enclosing three courtyards at different levels, eventually embracing the entire village.
The outer walls—commissioned in 1369 by Cansignorio della Scala—contain the historic heart of Soave. To the west and south they are naturally protected by the moat of the Tramigna stream, while four monumental gates—Porta Aquila, Porta Verona, Porta San Rocco and Porta Bassano—lead into the centre. Inside stand civil and religious gems such as the 14th‑century Palazzo di Giustizia in Piazza Antenna and the elegant Palazzo Cavalli, built in 1411 by Captain Nicolò Cavalli.
All around, gentle volcanic hills create a postcard landscape covered with Garganega and Trebbiano vines that produce the celebrated Soave Classico. The terrain is rich in karst formations and fossil deposits that reveal an ancient marine origin. To the north rise the Lessini Mountains; to the south the vast plain is crossed by the winding Adige River.
Today Soave is a must‑see for wine tourists and mediaeval‑history lovers alike. In addition to cellar tours and tastings, the town hosts cultural events, historical re‑enactments and the famous September Grape Festival, which celebrates the start of the harvest with parades and performances.
Soave (video):
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