Verona is just magic and poetry.
The city that involved us into the irresistible and melting story of the cutest lovers ever, Romeo and Juliet, is a tourist site for thousands people who leave her with the desire to come back.
Verona has wonderful streets where her history we think to know is well kept.
Verona holds a particular old town that is a World Heritage site of UNESCO; it went through centuries of domination and devastation from which it step out stronger and brighter, becoming the beloved city.
Throughout the city, the sovereign of dame nature on every single human work is tangible; different styles intermix and create a diversified but romantic and melodious atmosphere. The quiet waters of the Adige flow through the city under its bridges creating wonderful and picturesque arches.
The oldest bridge is Ponte di Pietra. Standing there since the Roman Empire time, it still connects the Teatro Romano to the downtown. The other important bridge is Scaligero located exactly in front of Castelvecchio; built in the second half of the XIV century with red typical bricks of the medieval Verona, it will offer you amazing feelings, landscapes and pictures.
Especially at the sunset!
There are others five bridges which history and permanence make them part of the architectural treasure of the gorgeous Verona.
WHAT TO SEE IN VERONA : PIAZZA BRÀ
Piazza Brà, always crowded, is one the most famous square of Italy; here we find the Gran Guardia, a palace dating from 1600 and hosting numerous exhibitions, the magnificent Palazzo Barbieri built in 1800 and today serves as municipality of Verona and finally, at the centre of Piazza Brà, rises lordly the anfiteatro Romano (Roman Amphitheatre). Well-known as Verona Arena, this building is invaded by tourists coming from all over the world.
Probably constructed during the early 1st century, the Arena accommodated the gladiators’ spectacles; the sand found in the central part where the exhibitions used to take part is called “rena”.
Nowadays, Verona Arena is the city’s emblem.
It attracts millions of visitors, not only for its beauty and its story but also for the famous events its hosts. It can contain up till 20,000 people!
It connects Piazza Brà to Piazza delle Erbe: VIA MAZZINI
From the Verona Arena, let’s take Via Mazzini, full of historical buildings and immersed into the bulk of the best shopping windows of Verona; sometimes it’s necessary!
WGAT TO SEE IN VERONA : PIAZZA DELLE ERBE
The ancient Palazzo del Comune, Casa dei Giudici, the elegant Palazzo Maffei with a XVII century style, Casa dei Mercanti, the “painted” Case Mazzanti … Piazza delle Erbe, built on the old roman hole (like the form suggests), is the heart of Verona old town, the most famous and fascinating.
At the bulk of Piazza delle Erbe, stands out a very old fountain nicknamed “Madonna Verona”; it has been there since the Roman Empire time.
Once you face it, your eyes will be amazed by the Torre dei Lamberti (Lamberti Tower)!
It rises on 84 metres; its construction lasts from the XII century but it has been perfected during the following centuries; this explains the mixture of materials used for its realization: the lower part is made of rows of tuff and bricks while the upper one is only made of bricks. The clock has been added around the year 1700.
If you want to admire the best landscape of Verona, climb until the top of the tower!
(By stepping up the stairs or using the elevator)
WHAT TO SEE IN VERONA : CASA DI GIULIETTA (JULIET’S HOUSE)
Near to Piazza delle Erbe, passing by Via Cappello, a tender street of the city, we can find the House of Juliet.
The imagination of Shakespeare touched reality and fantasy; in fact, Montecchi and Capuleti families really existed.
The coat of arms with the iconic hat, symbol of the Cappelletti family, is present on the key ring needed for the entrance gate to the courtyard of Juliet’s House.
While entering in the court, you’ll be amazed by the billions of letters and notes left there by lovers coming from all over the world and painting the walls.
Here we are under the balcony of the famous Juliet where, during the second world war, Romeo did his love declaration to her.
It’s possible to visit the insides of the house, gracious and welcoming.
Before leaving this place of magic, don’t forget to take a picture with the statue of Juliet!
They say that taking a picture while holding the right breast brings luck… who knows!
VERONA : ARCHE SCALIGERE (SCALIGER TOMBS)
From Piazza delle Erbe, let’s reach Piazza dei Signori passing through the Arco della Costa.
This name comes from the whalebone that hangs on the archway; some ancient drawings of the square confirm it: the whalebone hangs on the Arco della Costa at least since the XVII century even if no one knows who appended it and why he did it!
Coming back to what we were saying, passing by Piazza dei signori we reach the famous Scaliger Tombs.
It’s a gothic funerary complex that hosts graves dedicated to some members of the Scaliger family who ruled the city of Verona for a long time.
Among the most important funerary monuments, stands out the tomb of Can Francesco della Scala, the senior figure of the Scaliger dynasty. His nickname was Cangrande.
Friend and patron of the poet Dante, his honours are showed off in the Divine Comedy; paradise’s songs are even dedicated to him.
WHAT TO SEE IN VERONA : BASILICA DI SAN ZENO (SAN ZENO’S BASILICA)
Masterpiece of the Roman art and not too far from the centre of Verona, the Basilica of San Zeno is a real splendour.
It has been dedicated to the Bishop of Verona during the XVIII century; from the outside we can already admire the wonders lying in its inside.
On the central rose window, we can find the “wheel of fortune” representing the six steps of life and the uselessness of material joys while its inside is very beautiful, stunning and rich of diversified works which illuminate the walls.
These masterpieces will catch your attention, it will be impossible to remain indifferent in front of it!
The audio guide included in the ticket’s cost describes perfectly and with more details the different parts of the church under the historical and artistic point of view.
Verona is not done yet; there will be so much more to visit
Which will enrich your experience!
Romeo’s House, the Cathedral of Verona, the Roman Theatre
or, at one hour from the city,
the dazzling Waterfalls of Molina…
We are leaving with a great desire to come back to enjoy Verona upside down and make her entirely ours!
Some Informations
WHAT TO SEE IN VERONA : PARKING
There is a free parking not too far from the centre of Verona; it’s near to Porta Palio;
Or for 1,50 Euro/hour, there are parking with blue stripes in area ahead from the limited traffic zone (for example near to the tribunal).
From here, you are at some minutes’ walk to Piazza Brà.
It’s also easy to reach it by train: from the train station Verona Porta Nuova and in only 10 minutes’ walk, you can reach the majestic Arena.
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