Arch Castello, located near the Church of Santa Maria Antica, represent Gothic tombstones of three medieval rulers of Verona from the kind of Scaliger who was in power in the 13-14 centuries. A model for the arches was hanging sarcophagus Guglielmo di Castelbarco, built in 1320 and today is located the Church of Santa Anastasia district.
At the entrance to the Church of Santa Maria Antica you can see a copy of the Arch of Cangrande I della Scala, made in the form of a tabernacle – like open Annex. The original is now kept in the Museum of Castelvecchio. The author of this creation remains unknown, although many critics consider the arch in the hands of Giovanni Regina. The Cangrande I – the greatest of all Scaligero is depicted on the tombstone in two positions: lying in the arms of eternal sleep and sitting on a horse. The last image is made on the top of the arch. This gravestone is one of the most outstanding examples of Veronese sculpture of the 14th century.
Arch Mastino II decorated with numerous figures of angels and saints, and the Mastino is depicted dressed in armor and seated on a horse. The arch construction began during the life of the ruler, who died in 1351.
Finally, the Arch Cansignorio, built in 1375 by masters from Bologna Gaspar Broaden and Bonino da Campione, has a hexagonal form and decorated with twisted columns. On the faces of the tombstones you can see sculptures and bas-reliefs, and on top is a statue of Cansignorio.
Despite its artistic and historical value, by the end of the 16th century Arches were neglected. Large-scale restoration of gravestones Mastino II was conducted only in 1786, and in 1839 was set in order the monumental complex.
Near Scaliger Arches are and the disposal of other members of this once-mighty kind – Mastino I (Piazza dei Signori at the Church of Santa Maria), Alboino, Bartolomeo Alberto I (his ornate headstone repeats the sarcophagus of Mastino I) and of Cangrande II.
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