Verona, like many Italian cities, is famous for its most interesting sights. This city is also often compared to Paris for its romantic atmosphere. This is not surprising, because it was here, according to the idea of the great Shakespeare, that the events from the legendary sad story unfolded. However, this Italian city is famous not only for the house of Juliet. An impressive historical heritage has been preserved here, thanks to which the city can successfully compete with Rome. So, especially for you, we have prepared an overview of the most interesting sights of Verona, which you must see on your own.
Arena di Verona
This grandiose amphitheater was built by the ancient Romans around 30 AD. In the list of similar buildings, Arena di Verona ranks third in size. It is also considered one of the best preserved structures in the ancient world. Once upon a time, residents of the city flocked here to see with their own eyes the famous gladiator fights and circus performances.
The strongest earthquake that occurred in 1117 did not pass without a trace. The amphitheater was badly damaged, but its importance in the life of Verona did not diminish. The era of the Middle Ages brought here a fashion for public executions of heretics, festive festivities and competitions of knights. Since the 20th century, the Arena di Verona has become a venue for Italian opera performances. Today, theatrical performances are still held within the ancient walls of this amphitheater, and in the summer you can even see an opera on its wall.
Juliet's house
Fans of Shakespeare's creativity should definitely visit this house, built in the 13th century. Despite the fact that it is identified with the famous house of the Capulet family, in fact it belonged to the Cappello family. Throughout its existence, the House of Juliet has changed several owners. In the 19th century, there was an inn here, but already in 1907 the building was badly dilapidated, so the owners decided to put it up for auction. So, the house was bought by the municipality, after which a museum was set up in it.
However, even the connection with Shakespeare's play did not immediately bring him fame. Only after the restoration, the house acquired the appropriate romantic appearance, which aroused unprecedented interest in it from tourists. The usual brick façade was complemented by Gothic elements and the famous "Juliet's Balcony". Today, crowds of fans of the play and just tourists who find themselves in Verona flock here. Visitors do not ignore the bronze statue of Juliet, which stands in the courtyard. According to legend, if you touch it, you can attract good luck. Adults can explore the house and courtyard for € 6, students for only € 4.50, and for visitors under the age of 14, the tour will cost € 1.
Archaeological Museum
Here you can see finds from all over Verona, as well as from the surrounding area. Ancient tablets, ceramics, bronze and glass objects, statues, mosaics and much more are kept within the walls of the ancient monastery of St. Gerolamo. The Archaeological Museum of Verona is located on a hill with panoramic views of the entire city. Some of the exhibits are artifacts found nearby at the site where an ancient Roman theater was once.
Individuals also helped to replenish the museum's collection by donating their findings to the museum. Many of them were accidentally found on the streets of Verona, as well as in the river flowing in this area. For adults, the entrance to the museum will cost 6 euros, and even less for children - only 1 euro.
Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore
The Abbey of Saint Zenon in the Middle Ages was a fairly solid monastery complex. Unfortunately, today only the basilica, some cloisters, the Church of St. Proclus and one tower have survived. The Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore is considered to be one of the most magnificent Romanesque churches in all of Verona. Local volcanic tuff with marble inclusions was used for its construction. The facade of the church is decorated with bas-reliefs that recreate the scenes of the Last Judgment.
They were created by the sculptor Brioloto, who also created the "Wheel of Fortune", which is a rosette window in the center of the basilica. The entrance is decorated with a portal made by the master Nicolo. The church houses an impressive collection of works of art from various eras. As befits the place where Zeno of Verona was buried, there is a crypt here. The doors of the basilica are open to visitors every day, but the entrance, surprisingly, is paid - you will have to pay 5 euros for a ticket.
Castelvecchio castle
The list of attractions in Verona would not be complete without mentioning the Gothic castle of Castelvecchio. It was erected in the 8th century on the banks of the Adige River as a defense structure. Construction began as early as 1354, but the work was completed only by 1376. In those days, the noble family of Scaligers ruled in Verona, who made their residence in the castle, hiding within its walls from the attacks of enemies and the revolts of local residents. Later, the castle of Castelvecchio became a dungeon for prisoners, and during the Napoleonic occupation it was used as an arsenal.
The public gained access to the building only at the end of the 19th century, which was the reason for numerous reconstructions. Today, it houses the city museum, opened in the 1970s (it was founded about 50 years earlier, but was left closed for a long time due to renovations). Here you can see medieval sculptures, painting masterpieces, ancient weapons and ceramics. The ticket price, as in many other museums in Verona, is 6 euros.
Forti Gallery of Contemporary Art
Today the fund of this gallery includes about 1.4 thousand exhibits, but at the time of its foundation there was only a small collection of art objects. It was collected at his own expense by a very wealthy local resident, and then donated it to the city. Over time, the gallery has been replenished with private donations. Many of the exhibits date back to the 19th century, and only some of them are considered modern. The permanent exhibition of the Forti Gallery, which includes many works by Veronese masters, was opened to the public in 2006. Today this place is considered to be a respectable exhibition center that attracts many tourists.
Porta Borsari street
This street is the epitome of ancient Verona. The gate, which is located at the end of the street, was once part of the walls of the most ancient city. There are reliable facts that indisputably confirm that this gate was built in the first century. In such distant times, the customs office worked on Porta Borsari street. Nowadays, the name of the street reminds of this: "borsari" in translation from Italian means "customs officer". Lovers of ancient history will surely like it here, as the street is a real medieval architectural monument of Ancient Rome.
Perhaps this is the only place where you can combine cultural recreation with shopping. An incredible number of shops and boutiques are open to shoppers from morning until late at night. A small fountain located on this street and so beloved by all tourists will help you forget about the summer heat with its coolness.
Erbe square
There are at least six names for this ancient square: Fruit and Herb Forum, Dante Square, Roman Forum, Herb and Fruit Square, Piazza della Signoria, Fruit Square. The rulers of Verona of that time from the Scaliger family made a significant contribution to the design and formation of the design of this square. On all sides, this historical place is surrounded by palaces, buildings of the famous Renaissance era.The walls of the buildings themselves are frescoes, the result of the creation of the great artists of that time. The walls of houses during the Renaissance were painted with different colors and have survived in such a unique form to this day. During the Roman era, this square was the most important center for business and financial life.
All sides of the rectangular square were built in different periods of history by the great sculptors of that time. Nowadays, not a single generation of tourists study the life and history of the ancient center of civilization. Here you can see sculptures of Venus and Apollo, Jupiter and Hercules, Minerva and Mercury. In the center of the street there is an active, albeit very ancient, fountain of the Madonna de Verona. The National Bank of Verona is located in the grass square. The facade of the building is decorated with Gibbelean battlements and an arched loggia. Interestingly, in the Middle Ages, the first large financial corporations were located in the same building.
Of course, only on this square can be located the symbol of the Republic of Venice, which has dominated these places for several centuries - this is a column with a winged lion. One of the main buildings located on the street is the Loggia of Soviets or Loggia Giocondo, built at the very end of the 15th century. It is believed that the building was recreated according to the project of the Venetian monk Giocondo. It gained fame due to the fact that the memory of famous and important persons of that time is immortalized here - sculptures of Nepos, Catullus, Vitruvius and Pliny the Elder rise on the roof.
Lamberti tower
The tower is located near the Fruit Square. It reaches a height of almost 85 meters and was built in the second half of the 12th century, in the Romanesque style. Later, at the very beginning of the 14th century, the upper part of the tower was destroyed by lightning. The tower was restored over the next millennium. It has survived to this day in the form of a building made of different materials: from below, tuff blocks and bricks; at the top is marble.
The significance of the tower in the ancient and Middle Ages for the people was enormous. Several bells of different shapes are installed on it. A large bell gathered residents for citywide meetings, a small bell notified everyone about the fire. The construction was sponsored by the Lamberti family. This is the most noble and wealthy family of that time. At the very top of the tower there is a visitor's platform, from which a breathtaking view of Verona opens up. The tower is located on the Erbe square and not far from the Scaligerian arches. The ticket price also includes visits to the latter. The ticket costs 3-4 euros. Viewing is available on weekdays from nine thirty to seven in the evening.
Roman Theater and Pietra Bridge
This antique palace of culture is the most magnificent theater in Northern Italy. Geographically, the building is located on the hill of San Pietro. This hill has a common name with one of the bridges between which the theater is located. The San Ptro Bridge is the embodiment of the care and respect for its own history and culture by the locals. Indeed, in 45, the Germans mercilessly blew up this architectural monument during the offensive. However, the caring people of Verona, using old photographs and from the remains of the destroyed bridge, raised from the bottom of the river, were able to completely restore it. Here you can admire the landscape and landscapes of the city, which attracts photographers from all over the world.
Roman theater Romano was built in the first millennium. Due to its proximity to the river, the building was badly damaged by floods. Nowadays, you can contemplate the orchestras, which in ancient times were intended for very important people, kaveyu, in the form of a semicircle with brick steps. The cavea is very wide, over 100 meters wide. It is, as it were, supported by the hill of San Pietro itself, on the sides of which there are walls. In those distant ancient times, one could walk along the wide terraces here. Now this huge area is occupied by one of the most famous castles - Castel Castle. The Roman antique theater Romano surprisingly combines different styles: the Tuscan style dominates on the ground floor; the second floor is dedicated to the Ionic style.
Giusti palace and garden
The villa, mansion or estate of the Giusti family was built in the Middle Ages in a classical style. This villa was built by Augstino Giusti for his family, according to his own idea. The individuality of this estate has been preserved to this day: unlike other estates in Verona, the Giusti Palace stands at the very foot, and the living quarters in it are located on the very first floor, a little higher you can find an inner courtyard. And the building is closed by a magnificent cypress alley leading to the terrace with a grotto and to the belvedere.
According to the plan of the head of the Giusti family, the famous Verona garden was erected on the site of gardens and vegetable lands with special care and attention - an island of the peak of unsurpassed beauty and unearthly grace. In the shade of cypress alleys, the most famous characters loved to dream: the Great Tsar Alexander, the Medici, the famous Goethe, who repeatedly mentions this in his works. Nowadays, every tourist has such a unique opportunity: to visit places that have preserved the landmarks of ancient world literature, history and culture. The exact address of the Museum and Garden is Via Giardini Giusti, 2. The doors are open for visitors from morning until seven in the evening, the ticket costs from seven euros.
San Fermo
An amazing ancient structure. It combines two completely different buildings: below the Romanesque style, the embodiment of the project of the monks from the very beginning of the second century; the top was built at the beginning of the fourteenth century and is strictly gothic in style. The upper part resembles the keel of a ship. An identical combination of styles will open to the eyes of travelers and inside the church. The interior seems unreal, fabulous and attracts with its grandeur, wealth and a little mysticism.
Reliefs with scenes from the lives of saints, the famous frescoes of Martino, the fresco "Crucifixion" by Maxio, sarcophagi - all these unique and valuable masterpieces are collected in one small church. You can find it at Stradone San Fermo, 37121 Verona. You can visit this historical monument on weekdays, from morning to seven in the evening, the ticket price starts from 2 euros.
Church of San Lorenzo
A small parish church in Florence was a holy and revered place for the townspeople of the first century. It was founded by Saint Ambrose of Mediolan, a significant figure of those years. The serious political steps of the Emperor Theodosius the Great did not go without Ambrose's advice. Historians and clergy believe that it is Ambrose who is the Great Teacher of the Church. The building itself was erected later, at a time when, at last, the construction of temples ceased to be an honorable work of orders and monks. The proud and freedom-loving people considered this a sign of piety and respect for the rulers of that time. Of course, the construction of temples was the lot of wealthy families, but wealthy laymen could also arrange their family chapels there.
The founder of the church is considered Giovanni Medici, whose son was Cosimo the Elder, Father of the Fatherland. The Medici took his idea very seriously and invited Brunelleschi, the great Italian architect. The construction of the church took decades. For Filippo Brunelleschi, this was the first successful and completely independent project. The harmony of the interior, the basilica, the painting and the entire building inside amazes even the most sophisticated architect of our days. It is here that modern students of the Academy are brought so that they can personally contemplate Brunelleschi's impeccable perspective and learn how to project correctly.
Here the classic Corinthian columns, arches and round illuminated windows merge together. Bronze chairs, cloister or cloister courtyard, continuous arcades are unique and are the prototype of many famous design solutions. After walking a couple of tens of meters, you can plunge into the world of another genius - Michelangelo himself. The Laurentian Library of the same name is located here. Address: Piazza di San Lorenzo, 9. For tourists, the doors are open from morning until 7 pm. The ticket price is from 3.5 to 8 euros.
Juliet's tomb
The monument of unhappy love attracts the largest number of tourists from all the remote corners of our planet. They strive here to see this tomb with their own eyes, immerse themselves in the love story of Romeo and Juliet, lay flowers and leave a message. This sarcophagus gained fame after the publication of a short story by the Italian writer Luigi da Porto. Since then, from the first half of the sixteenth century, the flow of pilgrims and tourists has practically not stopped. The rulers of that time did not like this interest and the tomb was modified into a container for storing water. The next wave of interest from passionate fans of the novels resumed after the appearance of the famous work of William Shakespeare.
This time the tourists did not just admire the beauty of the building, but they certainly chipped off a piece of the sarcophagus as a keepsake. Rumor has it that one of the jewelry of the Empress of Austria was made from these fragments. Such an unhealthy interest could not but disturb the caring Verona residents. At the end of the nineteenth century, the tomb was moved to the old church. To protect against too ardent admirers and lovers of mysticism, a side with arches was erected over the tomb. But even this could hardly restrain the too strong romantic mystics. Therefore, after a while, the tomb was moved to the church.
A box for messages to Juliet was set up next to her. The most interesting thing in this mysterious story is that Ettori Solimani, who worked as a caretaker of the complex and initiator of the transfer of the sarcophagus, answered the messages for a very long time.
Love monument address: Via Del Pontere, 35. Open daily from 8.30 am to 7 pm, except Mondays. On this day, visiting the museum is only in the afternoon. The ticket price is about 6.5 euros.
House Romeo
This mansion is the embodiment of the Gothic style. The residential building itself is located in a courtyard, the territory of which is reliably protected from the outside by a wall with a jagged relief.
In general, this mansion has a "rich" history of travel from one owner to another: at first it belonged to the noble local family of Nogarollo, then it was planned to create the central office of the literary society of Verona there. The next historical milestone of this house was the attempt to make it a Shakespeare museum. However, no project has been successful. The mansion is now privately owned.
Nearby, 200 meters north of Romeo's House, is Juliet's House. Contemporaries believe that the romantic relationship between Romeo and Juliet in love is not fiction, and the girl's tomb is a real structure. But there is no evidence that it was the Montagues who lived in the so-called House of Romeo. However, all historical facts indicate that the Romeo family definitely lived in this area.
The splendor of the exterior façade and the spirit of an ancient love story in the air attract many tourists here. You can only admire the beauty of this house from the outside.
Piazza Bra
Visitors to Verona most often find themselves on the Piazza Bra, passing through one of the crenellated arches of the ancient gate - Portoni della Bra, erected in the 15th century. They and the pentagonal tower standing next to it are all that remains of the medieval fortress wall. The decoration of the square is a green square, where residents of Verona and guests of the ancient city gather. It is easy to breathe here thanks to the tall, dense cedars and pines. Piazza Bra is surrounded by several status buildings:
- two palaces: Barbieri - now the city hall is located here - and Gran Guardia
- monuments: Veronese partisans who fought against German fascism, and Victor Emmanuel II - the Italian king
The facade of the Arena di Verona, an ancient amphitheater, looks out onto the "Wide" Square - this is how the name of the place can be translated from the Lombard language. Bloody battles of gladiators, executions of heretics and a variety of tournaments were once held here. Now the amphitheater is a place for opera and musical performances. Its spectators can be at the same time 20 thousand people. During the warmer months, when there are no less than a dozen street bars, pizzerias, cafes and restaurants in the square, Piazza Bra becomes the most crowded.
Signoria Square
Only 850 meters separate Piazza Bra from the compact Piazza dei Signori. The name "Signoria" tells curious and savvy travelers about a certain connection of this historical place with the authorities. Here, indeed, in several buildings, governing bodies were located. Some of them have partially retained their functions:
- Palazzo del Podesta - for a long time it was the residence of the Veronese rulers. The eventful 13 years of the life of Dante, the Italian poet, whose marble monument has been decorating the square since 1865, have also passed here.
- The Palace of Captains (the second name is Palazzo Cansignorio) is a preserved part of a powerful medieval fortress.
- The Loggia of the Council attracts attention primarily with several statues on the roof of the building. The sculptures depict the people of Verona who have become famous not only in Italy, but also abroad.
- The Palace of Justice is decorated with the 83-meter Lamberti tower, which is interesting for tourists with its tiny observation deck.
Palazzo Maffei
Next to Piazza della Signoria, there is a small Piazza Erbe estate. Since 1668, this place has been adorned with the three-story building of the Maffei Palace. Tourists admire the baroque facade of Palazzo Maffei for a long time, graceful balconies and statues of ancient heroes and gods that adorn the flat roof of the medieval building.
Now this pompous building is a chic hotel with a luxurious Italian restaurant. A day's stay in his apartment will cost each guest 170-294 euros. From the windows of the establishment, you can clearly see the compact and always crowded Erbe Square. The column in front of the hotel, on which the not immediately noticeable marble lion sits, emphasizes the status value of the building.
Cathedral
The main sacred building of the city is located 550 meters from Piazza Signoria. The building of the Cathedral, which has adorned the square of the same name since the 12th century, has been partially rebuilt and expanded several times. The spacious inner hall of the temple is decorated with massive columns of red marble, Romanesque frescoes, as well as canvases by Italian masters of the brush:
- Liberal da Verona
- Titian
- A. Balestra
- J. Cignaroli
- N. Giolfino
During services in the cathedral, music is often performed by the masters on two ancient organs. The temple is available for visiting:
- on weekdays - 6: 45-19: 30, break - 11: 30-16: 00
- on holidays and weekends - 7: 00-19: 30, break - 13: 30-17: 00
To visit the cathedral, everyone needs to pay for an audio guide and a guidebook. The cost of the service is 2.50 euros. The audio guide is available in several European languages, including Russian.
Basilica of Santa Anastasia
The building of the Basilica of Santa Anastasia rises about 400 meters from the Cathedral. The construction of the sacral structure lasted 131 years and was completed in 1481. At the entrance to the temple, the attention of visitors is attracted by skillfully made water-blessing bowls, each of which is supported by a sculpture of a hunchback.
The solemnity of the inner hall of the basilica is created with high vaults, 12 white round columns, 11 chapels and five altars. The conditions for visiting the temple are the same as in the Cathedral - an audio guide and a travel guide can be purchased for 2.50 euros. The Basilica is open to the public from 10:00 to 17:00. On weekends, the temple becomes available 3 hours 30 minutes later.
Scaliger arches
An unusual cemetery is located next to Piazza Signoria. This is how we can name three grated tombs of the medieval rulers of Verona from the della Scala clan (more often the representatives of the dynasty are called Scaligers):
- Cansignorio
- Mastino II
- Kangrande I
Tourists explore the three tombstones, commonly referred to as arches, on a self-guided walk or by joining one of the sightseeing tours of Verona's historic quarters.Of greatest interest is the Cansignorio Arch, which reminds many tourists of a small Catholic cathedral.
Arch of Gavi
Castelvecchio, a medieval castle, rises on the banks of the full-flowing Adige, the river that flows through the city. Next to it is a triumphal arch reminiscent of the former glory of the noble Gavi family. It is in honor of this family that the 12.69-meter structure was named, erected in the 1st century, and dismantled by Napoleon's soldiers in modern times. Only 127 years later, in 1932, the Gavi Arch was restored.
The sculptures of noble representatives of the dynasty, which once stood in niches, have not survived. A solemn and majestic look to the arch is given by half-columns on the facade and floral ornament on the span. During the Middle Ages, noisy shopping arcades were located next to it. Only 280 meters separate the Gavi Arch from the Piazza della Signoria.
Scaliger Bridge
From the castle of Castelvecchio, tourists can easily move to the opposite bank of the Adige River. To do this, you need to be on the Scaliger bridge, which is very close. For Russian tourists, the structure with battlements reminds of the walls of the Moscow Kremlin. The powerful bridge, built of marble and red brick, was built much earlier than the Russian medieval fortress - in 1356. During the occupation of the city by German fascists, it was blown up. Thanks to the enthusiasm of the people of Verona, the bridge, which stretched for 120 meters, was successfully restored by 1951.
