Dogana Veneta

The Dogana Veneta stands beside the old harbour of Lazise. This long arcaded building served different roles over the centuries, from a Scaliger fleet shelter and Venetian arsenal to customs house and civic venue.

Why it matters

The building's history links the lake trade to the changing powers that controlled the eastern shore of Garda. It is attributed to the Scaliger period and later formed part of Venice's naval and commercial infrastructure. The Dogana also preserves evidence of Lazise's changing industries and civic life.

What to notice

The stone arches open toward the harbour, where the building meets the old port between the church of San Nicolò and the Scaliger walls. Inside, the large hall covers about 800 square metres, a broad interior that served the building's different uses over time. The arches are traditionally associated with the age of Cangrande della Scala, though no exact construction date is documented.

Context and history

Documents and expense records point to a building from the second half of the fourteenth century, while tradition connects it to Cangrande della Scala. Under Venice, it served as an arsenal and handled goods moving between Lombardy and the Republic. From the early seventeenth century it functioned as a customs house. Later uses included a sheep pen, a saltpeter works, a cotton mill and the Casa del Fascio. The structure returned to municipal ownership in 1961 and underwent restoration between 2003 and 2006.