Arche Scaligere

the tomb of Cangrande I della Scala, located above the church portal, was the first of the tombs to be built, in the 14th century, at the request of Cangrande himself. It was created by the same architect who designed the Church of Sant’Anastasia, who conceived a Gothic tabernacle supported by solemnly harnessed dogs. On the lid lies the recumbent statue of the deceased, while the sides are decorated with high reliefs depicting religious subjects and bas-reliefs with military themes. At the top of the canopy stands a copy of the equestrian statue of Cangrande I, whose original has been preserved at the Castelvecchio Museum since 1921, together with the funerary objects\

the tomb of Mastino II, begun in 1345, underwent numerous design changes over the years: it was originally painted and gilded and enclosed by a railing, with four statues of the Virtues at its corners. The sides of the sarcophagus are decorated with religious motifs and, on the lid, lies the recumbent statue of Mastino II, watched over by two angels. The canopy features trefoil arches and high reliefs with religious subjects on the pediment, complemented by the equestrian statue of Mastino II. The statue currently on display is a copy, while the original has been housed for some years in the clock tower of Castelvecchio\

the tomb of Cansignorio, dating from 1375, is the most richly decorated. Designed by Bonino da Campione, its sculptures depict warrior saints, figures from the Gospels, Virtues and Apostles, as well as the imposing equestrian statue of Cansignorio\

the sarcophagus of Alberto I, created in 1301 and richly carved\

the wall-mounted tomb of Giovanni della Scala, the work of Andriolo de’ Santi, who completed it in 1359 for the Church of San Fermo Maggiore, where it remained until 1400