Sometimes referred to as the SInking Castle of Sirmione, the Scaliger Castle was built by Mastino I della Scala in the early 13th century when the settlement of Sirmione, Garda as it was previously called, was ruled by the Scaliger family. Since the 4th and 5th century AD, Sirmione, located on a small peninsula jutting into the southern side of Lake Garda, was a strategic location for the defence of the southern region of Lake Garda.

One of the best-preserved examples of a medieval castle, the fortifications of the Scaliger Castle not only protected the surrounding settlements, as a border outpost, but sheltered the port within its walls as well. Below the main keep, there was a prison as well. Surrounded by a moat, the drawbridge of the castle leads to a second wall of fortifications, where visitors walk through to enter the castle, which used to be heavily secured with an intricate system of locks, and then climb the tower, from where the beautiful Lake Garda can be viewed. The peculiar castle, with a port within its walls, is a fascinating monument, still beautifully preserved from the 13th and 14th centuries. Whether you are a history buff or just want to relax in a scenic location, the Scaliger Castle is a beautiful spot to experience beautiful views of the lake and the Italian scenery.