Remains of the castle (gothic arch)

The scholar Paccagnini believes the castle of Volta dates from the 8C, while Gazzola dates it to the 9C. However, the earliest reliable record of the existence of a castle with a courtyard and chapel is contained in the donations of Beatrice to her daughter Matilda in 1053. The castle was occupied by the Scaligers in the 13C before passing to the Gonzaga family in 1367, to Venice in 1439 and finally to Mantua in the 16C. The defences and living quarters were then repaired, although problems of decay were being recorded by the mid-16C.

The fortifications stand on a hillside dominating the modern built-up area. The plan of the fort is irregular. To the south-west, the ruins of the mediaeval walls are important to understand its development. The outer wall consists of courses of stones mixed with pebbles and laid at certain points in a herringbone pattern.

In the late 14C, an entrance with a pointed arch and terracotta archivolt was installed. This was the gateway to the surrounding valley. The Gothic arch has become the emblem of Volta Mantovana.