Discover the Fascinating History of Castelli Scaligeri

Born in 1194 and became the chief governing officer of Verona, Vicenza, and Padua for a minimum of 20 years, until his death in 1259.  He was aligned with area Ghibellines and Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick II.  When Frederick II died in 1250, Ezzelino III became very aggresive and increasingly cruel.  He was killed near Soncino in 1259 which lead to jubilation everywhere. 

In the prosperous and neighboring city of Venice, during the rule of Alberto I, was Marco Polo.  He came from a family of merchants, but is famous for his travel to China.  From 1271 to 1295 he was learning and sharing information.  When he returned, he and an author, Rustichello da Pisa, wrote the book "Book of the Marvels of the World" while spending time together in prison in Genoa. 

The renown poet was exiled from Florence and spent time in Verona.   While in exile, he wrote the Divine Comedy.  Dante's lifetime (1265-1321) and path merged perfectly with the second generation of the Scaligeri, to be mutually beneficial.

Medieval is the time period between antiquity and modern times.  In the English language, we have three periods: Early (from 5th to the 10th century), High (from 10th to 13th centuries), and Late (from 13th to 15th centuries).

In contrast to the English cultural definition,  In Italian culture, High Medieval (Alto Medioevo) is from the fifth to the tenth centuries.  It is followed by Medioevo Classico and continues to Medieval (Basso Medioevo) runs from the tenth to the fifteenth centuries.

The word medieval comes from middle age - originally medium aevum. In Italian, Medioevo and in English Middle Ages. The dark ages, instead, refer generally to the first 500 years of the medieval period, from 500AD to 1000AD. 

Lake Garda was originally called Lacus Benacus by classical writers.  Its name was changed to Garda when the emperor Charlemagne elevated the town of Garda to a county and given dominion over the lake.  Some references still remain of Lacus Benacus, for example, Torri del Benaco (Towers of Benaco.)

Born in 1378 to Mastino II.  Among her many siblings were Scaligeri leaders Cangrande II, Cansignorio, Paolo Alboino.  She married Bernabo' Visconti of Milano, had 15 children, and actively ruled alongside her husband.  When illegitimate nephews took control of Verona in 1381, she attempted to take control.  The world-famous Scala opera house in Milano is indirectly named in her memory.

Between 1346 and 1353, the Black Death (or bubonic plague) killed millions of people during the lordship of Mastino II and Alberto II.  Both leaders died between 1531 and 1352, even if the worst of the pandemic had moved up the peninsula in 1348.  None of the deaths of the Scaligeri has been attributed to the black death.