From Borgo Vecchio (or Borgo della Madonna) the new bridge on the Monticano River can be reached, from where it is possible to capture the surviving remains of the eastern defensive system in the direction of the Friuli region: the Carraresi Tower, the Monticano Gate, and the second tower of the Rocchetta or the Borgo Alloco Tower, from where scarce remains of the walls ascend through the vegetation to the terrace at the top, today Belvedere Dal Vera, which once was the base of the private stronghold of the Coderta family.

Beyond the gate (with the lion, the openings, the carriage gateway and the pedestrian postern with traces of a drawbridge), it is possible to go up from the right side along the Calle Scoto de Scoti or Calle degli Asini, along which the “shielded” tower of Borgo Alloco can be seen.

Having reached the first hairpin bend (panorama) and climbed a short flight of steps on the right a third hairpin bend emerges on the Volta Gate site, where the walls between the castle and the village once converged.

From here the path of the old Via della Volta enters on the left onto the Gera-Sinopoli property, while the new street climbs on the right towards Castelvecchio, here the most characteristic elements of the fortification placed on different levels are evident: below the moat (where the road runs) between the outer bank and the scarp walls of the external ring, further up the corner with a part of the internal Scaliger walls furnished with various loopholes and lastly the Bell Tower (or Watch Tower). 

At the top of the wide steps on the right, at the site of the bridge or of the bridge support of Castelvecchio, is San Leonardo Square (panorama), which is dominated on the right side by the Romanesque belfry and the surviving apse of the original San Leonardo church on which today rises the Oratory of Saint Orsola.

Having reached the upper garden of the castle, to the right it is possible to follow the northern perimeter of the fortress, with the Torre Mozza (Squat Tower) or Torre Saracena (Saracen Tower) – which today is a restaurant. Further on below are the remains of the Escape Postern and above the remains of the north-western corner tower, where the raised walls of the Girone (ring wall) continue. From the south-western corner, a part of the wall on the left side reaches the custodian’s turret, where there is the entrance to the Castle’s Civic Museum, housed in the Bell Tower, which can be visited up to the top terrace.

Having left Castelvecchio and following the road (ex moat) on the right, the Porta di Ser Belle can be reached, with its original base and addition built in the early 1900’s.

Going back it is possible to take the cobbled Calle Madonna della Neve on the right, where the 16th century oratory of the same name can be found. During the recent restoration of the small church, the left jamb with the springer of the Castagnera Gate was discovered (1314). From here it is possible to descend the Castagnera walls, fortified with archvolts by the Carraresi family in 1384, but with still visible blind merlons alternated with those having archery loopholes with the typical “a tholos” structure.

The walls continue inside the garden of the ex Cloister of San Francesco (visitable upon request), along the Via della Castagnera to the Beccaruzzi Square. It is also possible to continue down the lane turning right on via De Amicis until reaching the entrance of the cloister and then descend another set of steps on the left to via Beccaruzzi, which leads to the “Torricelle di Dante” (which were built in 1864 for the VI centenary of the poet’s birth in the place of the Rujo gate). From here following the winding foothills, a scenic view on the medieval Contrada Granda can be enjoyed. Overlooking the street are the 14th century façade of the Sala dei Battuti and the Duomo (Cathedral).

Descending via Marconi (the old salisà = a cobbled ascending road), on the left the city walls can be seen. Leaving the “Fontana dei Cavalli” (fountain with the horses) on the right the visit can be concluded by following eastwards the circled wall of the village, which is visible in certain parts through the private gardens which occupy the Refosso area of the Scaligeri’s period. The Scalinata degli Alpini (Steps of the Alpine Troops) leads to the three arched entrance (built in the second half of the 19th century) which is the Beccherie Gate site. Before reaching the Ponte della Madonna (Madonna’s bridge) there is the small gate of San Polo or of the Bell, the Postern Tower and the “Da Bagnolo” Tower.