Porta Castello Tower: Overall view, Piazza Castello, Tower on the right

After the stable period of Paduan rule, the dynamic Scaligeri [lords of Verona] became rulers of Vicenza (1311-1387). The eastern gate leading towards Verona was fortified with a strengthened Castello (1343), and the Scaligeri began to reorganize the expanded city, including the suburbs. A new ring of walls (ca. 1365-1381) was added to the old walls, which were left intact. Between the tower of Porta Castello, the stronghold of the Rocchetta, Porta Nuova and Porta Santa Croce, regular blocks were built following a broad orthogonal grid of streets, anticipating humanistic preferences.