Santa Maria Antica

Tucked away behind the grand palaces of Piazza dei Signori lies a site of profound historical and spiritual significance: the church of Santa Maria Antica and the adjacent Scaliger Tombs (Arche Scaligere). As a scholar of…

Before we examine the tombs themselves, let us appreciate the extraordinary 14th-century iron grille that encloses the cemetery. This is not merely a fence; it is a work of art in its own right. …

Directly above the entrance to the church of Santa Maria Antica is the tomb of Cangrande I, the most famous and beloved ruler of the Scaliger dynasty. Cangrande was a brilliant military strategist, a patron of the arts, and the…

Moving into the enclosure, we encounter the tomb of Mastino II, who ruled after Cangrande. This monument represents a further evolution of the Gothic style in Verona. …

The largest and most ornate of all the monuments is the tomb of Cansignorio, completed in 1375. By this time, the Scaliger dynasty was beginning to decline, and the extreme opulence of this tomb can be seen as a desperate attempt…

After the visual explosion of the Gothic tombs, stepping inside the church of Santa Maria Antica provides a profound sense of contrast. The interior is small, dark, and remarkably simple, adhering to the strict rules of the…

As you walk around the complex, take a moment to look specifically for the recurring symbols that define the Scaliger family. The most prominent, of course, is the ladder (scala), but equally important are the dogs. …

As we conclude our visit to Santa Maria Antica and the Scaliger Tombs, take a final look at these soaring stone spires. We have explored one of the most unique sites in Italy—a private dynastic cemetery that has become a public…