Torrione di porta Castello
Corso Palladio
Vicenza, May 2025
“It was later enlarged by Ezzelino III da Romano and demolished after his death. In 1343 it was rebuilt larger during the Scaliger occupation and became part of the medieval city walls. Antonio and Mastino II della Scala restored the Ezzelinian fortress, transforming it into a real Castle that occupied a square area and surrounded by a deep moat. Subsequently, with the Visconti domination, the crenellated crowning and the upper lantern were added, taking on its current appearance. During the 17th century, the Castle, now deprived of its defensive role, was sold – except for the Tower because it was a public passage – by the Serenissima to the Valmarana family , who transformed the north wing into a palace overlooking their ancient garden. The dismantling of the remaining parts, at the end of the 18th century, left the Tower almost intact. However, between the 19th and 20th centuries, for traffic reasons, the entrance arch was doubled and flanked by two pedestrian passages. The last two restorations date back to 1999 and 2018. The internal perimeter of the ancient Castle – parade ground – is still identifiable in the large rectangular space that opens beyond the Torrione portal, overlooking the Corso. After five centuries, on April 3, 2018, the Torrione returned to being a public property. The collector Antonio Coppola , after having purchased it at auction, ceded the bare ownership of the imposing building to the Municipality of Vicenza. The Coppola Foundation will maintain the usufruct of the Torrione for 30 years, using it as a center of contemporary art, guaranteeing its management and maintenance.” (Torrione di porta Castello, VIVA)
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