Cangrande della Scala was born in 1291 and was the third son of Alberto I della Scala. His father died early, in 1301, and three years later, in 1304, also his older friend Bartolomeo died. So in 1311 the political adventure of the young heir started when he was assigned to rule together with his bother Alboino. In 1329 Alboino died and Cangrande I remained the only Verona's Lord. The govern of the Scaligeri started in 1263, continued for 127 years, and the dynasty that used merciless means to arrive to the power, once in the position of power, gave the town a period of peace and prosperity, mainly thanks to the personality of Cangrande. Since the beginning, indeed, its genius was expressed, principally in its illuminated political behaviour that was crowned by the title of Imperial deputy received by Enrico VII. With him the House of the Della Scala saw its period of greater splendour, extending its control on a large part of the Venetian region and toward Brescia, Lucca and Parma. But the fame of the leader in not only linked to his political ability but also to his benefactor spirit, and thanks to that many great artistic geniuses were given hospitality at his Court, one for all, Dante Alighieri. In this historical phase Verona became one of the biggest cultural centres in Italy. The 'Great Poet', who was given hospitality from 1312 to the beginning of 1320, during the period when he wrote the Paradise, became a close friend of Cangrande and felt great thankfulness and appreciation for the illustrious benefactor, so much so that he dedicated his third canto to him in the Divine Comedy. As witnessed by the XIII letter, written by Dante to accompany the sending and dedication of the Paradise to Cangrande, letter where the poet indicates the benevolence of Verona's Lord. But despite the friendship, the characters of the two men were quite different, and if Dante was reserved and a bit embittered by exile years, Cangrande is recalled by the poet for his impetuous, extroverted and cheerful character. In town the symbols of the power of the dynasty of the Scaligeri are Dei Signori square, where stands Palazzo Cangrande, and Castelvecchio, a fort wanted by the Cangrande II in 1354; inside you can admire the equestrian statue of Cangrande I. The great leader and Verona's Lord died in 1335, its remains are preserved in one of the Arche Scaligere, the picturesque funerary monuments visible outside Santa Maria Antica church. The tomb is placed inside a niche supported by marble columns and surmounted by a large gothic cusp on which stands out a copy of the equestrian statue of Cangrande I della Scala.