Romantic and ancient Verona is a city where the great heritage of the Roman Empire and the lost poetry of the Italian Middle Ages have been preserved. Ancient amphitheaters still gather hundreds of spectators during theater festivals, and in Romanesque temples of the 7th-10th centuries. services are going on as in previous eras.
Time on the streets of Verona has long stood still. It seems that noble families still live in the houses of the 13th century, the Montagues and Capulets continue their century-old vendetta, and the beautiful Juliet is about to go out on her balcony to tell the moon and the stars about her love for young Romeo.
Verona is a famous and important tourist destination in Italy. The beauty of urban architecture and natural landscapes attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world, and the beautiful love story invented by Shakespeare attracts enthusiastic couples like a magnet.
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What to see and where to go in Verona?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Juliet's house
House built in the 13th century on Via Capello. It was here, according to the legendary Shakespearean tragedy, that the young Juliet Capulet lived with her family. A statue of the heroine is installed in the courtyard, the famous balcony also opens into the courtyard, and there is a museum in the house itself. This romantic place is constantly flooded with tourists, lovers from all over the world try to capture a kiss under Juliet's balcony or attach a note with wishes to the wall.
Juliet's tomb
The tomb is a red marble sarcophagus located in the crypt of the Franciscan monastery of San Francesco Al Corso. It is believed that the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet ended here (the lovers took poison). The tomb is not inferior in popularity to the House of Juliet, hundreds of people come here every day. It is believed that the landmark was specially created in the 20th century to attract more tourists to Verona.
House Romeo
Home of the Nogarola family of the 14th century, where Romeo lived according to the views of Shakespearean admirers and locals. The building is a powerful medieval building. The external façade is in Romanesque style, while the upper floors have a Gothic style. The Montague family never owned this building. Romeo's House is located just 150 meters from Juliet's House. The building is a private property, therefore viewing is possible only from the outside.
Piazza Bra
One of the central squares of Verona, the social and commercial center of the city. The Piazza is so large that it is considered the largest in all of Italy. The façades of a 17th-19th century palazzo overlook the square. The space is decorated with a monument in honor of King Victor Emmanuel II and a sculptural group depicting Italian partisans. The square also houses an amphitheater built in the era of Ancient Rome.
Arena di Verona
The ancient theater, which is still used for its intended purpose. Opera festivals are held here every year, bringing together the best troupes from all over the world. The amphitheater hosts all kinds of concerts, festive performances, large-scale musical events. Arena di Verona was built earlier than the Roman Colosseum - in the 40s. 1st century A.D. The attraction can be visited outside the concert as part of the excursion.
Signoria Square
Medieval square, which has always housed the city government. Now this place is a popular tourist attraction. A monument to Dante Alighieri is erected on the square. The poet lived in the Palace of the Podestà for 13 years at the invitation of Can Grande de Scala, the ruler of Verona. Dante was expelled from his native Florence and wandered around different cities until his death.
Piazza delle Erbe
The oldest square in Verona, built on the site of a Roman forum. Piazza is surrounded by historic buildings from different eras. Here you can admire the Gothic House of Merchants, the building of the People's Bank of Verona, House Mazzanti, Palazzo del Comune. The central composition is the fountain of the Madonna of Verona, built in the 14th century. The statue of Our Lady was created on the basis of a Roman prototype of the 4th century.
Palazzo Maffei
Palace of the XV-XVII centuries, a real masterpiece of Italian baroque architecture. The façade is decorated with statues of Roman gods, elegant balconies, arches and semi-columns. The building is adjoined by the austere brick tower del Gardello with a clock dial of the 15th century. In front of the palace, there is a column of St. Mark with a winged lion - a symbol of the Venetian Republic, since Verona was for some time the possession of the Venetians.
Castelvecchio castle
A medieval defensive structure on the Adige River, which was erected to create a barrier in front of the passage of enemy ships. The construction of the castle began after the della Scala family came to power. Thanks to Castelvecchio, Verona by the middle of the XIV century turned into a real fortified city. In the courtyard there is a statue of Can Grande della Scala, inside the castle there is a museum with collections of weapons, paintings, ceramics, and jewelry.
Verona Cathedral
One of the main temples in the city, built in austere Romanesque style. The cathedral was built at the end of the 12th century and modernized in the 15th century. The interior is designed in a later Gothic style, with red columns, blue vaults with gold stars, and "airy" arches. The cathedral contains unique works of art and objects that have survived from the XII-XV centuries.
Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore
A Romanesque church built on the site of the tomb of Zinon of Verona, the first local bishop. The basilica was built in the X century during the reign of Emperor Otto the Great, in the XII - XIII centuries. some elements were replaced and several outbuildings appeared. In this form, the temple stood until the 19th century, until it fell into disrepair. The restoration took place in 1993, after which the basilica was reopened to the public.
Church of San Lorenzo
Catholic temple of the VIII century, founded in honor of St. Lawrence of Rome. In those early days, the church was located outside the city limits, now it is part of the central part of Verona. Despite the fact that the building was rebuilt several times, its architecture is a shining example of the early Romanesque style. The church interior has been preserved from the 12th century. Inside are the tombs of the noble families of Trivell and Nogarola.
Basilica of Santa Anastasia
Dominican Church of St. Anastasia, built in the period 1290-1481. The external facade of the temple is rather modest, but the interior is striking in its splendor and luxury of decoration. The interior of the basilica consists of marble columns, picturesque frescoes on the vaulted ceiling, sculptures, chapels and glittering altars of the noble families of Verona. The richness of the interior of the Basilica of Santa Anastasia surpasses the decoration of the cathedral.
Scaliger arches
Gothic tombstones of representatives of the Scaliger family - the rulers of Verona in the XIII-XIV centuries. There are three arches in total - Can Grande I della Scala, Cansignorio and Mastino II. Next to them are the graves of some other members of the genus. The arches are considered an outstanding example of the Gothic architectural style. They are next to the 7th century church of Santa Maria Antica, which served as a palace chapel during the reign of the Scaligers.
Arch of Gavi
Ancient Roman triumphal arch, erected in the 1st century A.D. in honor of the noble family of Gavia, designed by the architect Lucius Cerdon. Until the 16th century, the building was used as a city gate; in subsequent centuries, craftsmen's shops and retail outlets began to appear around the arch.At the beginning of the 19th century, under Napoleon Bonaparte, the arch was dismantled and moved to the amphitheater. The building was restored and returned to its original place in 1932.
Porta Borsari
Ancient gate from the Roman period, built in the 1st century AD. In the Middle Ages, the building served as a military outpost and barracks for the city garrison, as well as a customs point for collecting payments from merchants. On the façade, there are inscriptions in Latin dating back to the 3rd century AD. The gate is well preserved considering its 20 century age. The name Porta Borsari dates back to the late Middle Ages.
Porta Leoni
An ancient Roman gate and an outpost that performed defensive functions. Like Porta Borsari, Porta Leoni appeared in the 1st century AD, they were part of the defensive fortifications of Verona. Only a part of the facade and the base of the towers have survived to this day. According to research, the gate reached a height of 13 meters. "Porta Leoni" in translation means "lion's gate", this name appeared in the Middle Ages.
Porta Nuova
City gate, erected in the 16th century to strengthen the defensive power of Verona. At the end of the 18th century, the French conquerors removed the coats of arms of the Venetian Republic from the facade, and in the middle of the 19th century the building was rebuilt by the Austrians, who gained power over Verona after the Congress of Vienna. Despite the modernization, the central part of the gate has retained its original medieval appearance.
Lamberti tower
The tower is located in Piazza Erbe and is considered the tallest building in Verona (height - 83 meters). The building appeared thanks to the Lamberti family in the XII century, at that time its height was only 37 meters. Over time, the tower has grown to its current size. The building is decorated with ancient clocks and bells, which once heralded the beginning of the war. If you wish, you can go up to the observation deck and admire the views of Verona.
Roman theater
Ruins of an ancient theater on the slope of St. Peter's hill. Throughout the entire period of the Middle Ages, the building fell into decay. The houses of the Lombards were built on its territory; there was even the residence of one of the Ostrogothic kings. The theater was dug up in 1830, when the place was cleared of old buildings. Due to the fact that it was underground for a long time, almost all parts of the structure are well preserved. Opera performances take place on the territory of the theater in summer.
Archaeological Museum
The exposition of the museum is located in the building of a former monastery near the Roman theater. The museum was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. The collection was replenished by private collections and donations. The museum has many antique exhibits: sculptures, mosaics, ceramics, bronze figurines, tableware and other artifacts. The preserved monastery church with frescoes from the 16th century is also part of the museum's exposition.
Scaliger Bridge
The 16th century bridge, built at the behest of the ruler of Can Grande II della Scala. The structure connects the castle of Castelvecchio with the left bank of the Adige River. The bridge was supposed to ensure a quick and unnoticed flight of Can Grande in the event of a popular uprising. The attraction has not survived to this day in its original form, as it was blown up in 1945 by German troops. The ball bridge was restored from fragments in the 50s. XX century.
Ponte Pietra bridge
An antique arched bridge of the 1st century AD, reconstructed and rebuilt several times over the long centuries of its existence. The bridge was once part of the Roman Postumian road that led from Genoa to the Alps. Like the Scaliger Bridge, it was rebuilt from the rubble after being destroyed during the Second World War. Ponte Pietra was the very first stone bridge in Verona and today it is the only surviving antique pontoon in the city.
Giusti's garden
A palace and park complex on hilly slopes in the eastern part of Verona. It is a 16th century palace surrounded by a landscaped park. This area once belonged to the Tuscan Giusti family. The complex is designed in a classic Mediterranean style: the park is planted with cypresses and thuja, numerous alleys are decorated with antique statues and fountains. The estate was visited by Cosimo Medici, Mozart, Goethe and the Russian Emperor Alexander II.
Lake Garda
The largest Italian lake located at the foot of the Alps. It is located a few tens of kilometers from Verona. In its shape, the reservoir resembles a medieval weapon of the same name, hence the characteristic name. The vicinity of the lake is a popular and prestigious resort, which has long been chosen by tourists. Cozy towns with hotels and excellent infrastructure stretch along the picturesque shores.