The
beautiful Verona, the second most populated municipality in the
Veneto region after Venice and third in north-eastern Italy, a city
with noble. cultural traditions was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for
its enormous artistic and monumental heritage and known as a very relevant
Roman Colony as early as 89 BC.
Often called
"Little Rome", for its historical links with the eternal city
still visible on its territory for its monuments of the imperial era and center
where the emblematic Latin poet Catullus was born and favorite place of the Emperor Julius Caesar
for stays away from the capital.
Verona was
an important city during the imperial age, preserving numerous vestiges of that
era, reaching its dawn during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries with the
dynasty of the Scala Lordship.
This
provincial capital of the Veneto region has influenced artists of considerable
prestige with its charm, one of them William Shakespeare who wrote the
famous tragedy Romeo and Juliet based on the story of two young Veronese
and the British writer himself said "There is no world without the
walls of Verona".
Other
illustrious personalities such as Brooke, Painter, Goethe, Stendhal and Verdi
never hid their love for this Italian wonder that between history, art and
in its own way literary mysticism has made millions of people fall in love.
1st
Day – Piazza Bra – Arena – Ponte Scaligero – Castelvecchio – Juliet's House
Once in the
city, I recommend starting the visit from the central and iconic Piazza Bra which
takes its name from the word "Braida" which in dialect of the
ancient Veronese means "large open space".
This
fascinating "urban living room" surrounded by various
buildings erected in different periods and where the presence of the legendary
Arena di Verona stands out.
Piazza Bra
has been the cornerstone of the city since ancient times and not only for the
famous Arena, but for the various historic residences that bear the names of
the most important local families.
In sequence
you can admire an 18th century building that houses the Stone
Museum, the Palazzo della Gran Guardia dating back to the 17th century designed by the architect
Domenico Curtoni, Palazzo Barbieri, now the town hall and the neoclassical
master work of the architect Giuseppe Barbieri and another is the Palazzo
degli Honorij built in 1555 by the architect Michele Sanmicheli.
This
magnificent square is paved with small granite pebbles and the shades of
the stones lying on the ground have shades ranging from gray to blue in
some places tending to a soft red and this detail also increases the
charm of this beautiful Veronese urban space especially with the reflections
generated by the sun.
In this
wonderful setting you can admire the majestic Arena, the third largest Roman
amphitheater left in Italy after the Colosseum in Rome and the Amphitheater of
Santa Maria Capua Vetere in Campania.
Built in the
first half of the first century, its capacity, already measured in ancient
times, was more than 30,000 spectators and well known for the Opera
and Opera performances that annually
attract about 600,000 people just to attend this kind of event.
In the
summer, a renowned Festival organized by the Fondazione Arena di Verona is
celebrated with Aida, Boheme, Nabucco, La Traviata, Il Barbiere di Siviglia,
Carmen Operas protagonists of a very wide calendar.
Continuation
with Castelvecchio, a medieval
military fortress erected in the place occupied by a stronghold of Roman origin
outside what must have been the Imperial Forum, transformed in modern
times into the Civic Museum of Art containing an excellent gallery of
paintings of the Veronese school of the 15th and 16th centuries.
Next to this
emblematic complex you can walk along the emblematic and fascinating Castelvecchio
Bridge also known as Ponte Scaligero, a fortified structure in red
and white bricks with a length of
48.70 meters.
Developed on
the Adige river by order of Cangrande
II della Scala who wanted with its construction to have a safe escape route
from the adjoining castle of the same name in case of rebellion of the
population.
From here
you can admire suggestive views of the river course with the picturesque
Veronese hills a short distance away as a splendid backdrop.
Returning to
Piazza Bra walking along Via Mazzini, a very lively street and famous
artery for Veronese shopping, you can reach Via Cappello and
visit the house of Juliet De 'Capuleti.
Entering a
small, picturesque medieval courtyard you will appreciate this very
suggestive space, a jewel of Gothic art dating back to the 13th century
containing inside a small museum, frescoes, paintings and ceramics from
the 16th and 17th centuries.
Juliet's
balcony is presumably the same where the tragic heroine spoke to her Romeo and
in modern times many girls imitate the scene and in the room the exposed bed
that was the protagonist of the famous movie Juliet and Romeo by Zeffirelli.
On the right
of the courtyard there is the bronze statue of Juliet, a sculpture made
by Nereo Costantini, while on the walls opposite the building we can see
numerous, small graffiti, engravings, signatures.
All not
aesthetically beautiful but in its own way the scene is rather romantic with
the names and messages of lovers who reached and still reach Verona who wish to
leave their mark in a place that represents a sort of fairy tale that in
literature has transmitted one of the greatest love stories of all time.
Time for
lunch of the day, I recommend remaining in the local gastronomic tradition Risotto
with Radicchio or Tagliatelle with Porcini Mushrooms, second courses
including Grilled Lamb Ribs with a side of Spinach au Gratin or Grilled
Beef Steak with Potatoes browned with thyme and rosemary.
Afterwards
free time to enjoy the beauties of Verona, accommodation and overnight stay in
the chosen hotel.
2nd
Day – Piazza Erbe – Torre dei Lamberti – Piazza dei Signori – Sant' Anastasia –
Duomo
I recommend
starting the visit from an emblematic urban space in Verona, Piazza delle Erbe, an urban space located between Via
Mazzini and Corso Porta Borsari where you can admire in transit one of
the most historic gates of Verona erected in local limestone and developed with
two arches and a double row of windows.
This square
is located in the place where the Roman Forum was built, a monumental
city enclave where various medieval palaces stand and the Lamberti Tower which,
with its 83.0 meters in height, is considered the tallest in Verona.
In the
centre stands the Palazzo del Comune built in the Middle Ages but which was
given a new look in the 19th century
with various renovations and modifications.
A further highlight is the soaring Gardello Tower built in 1370 although
finished until 1626.
Another
important building is Palazzo Maffei which is actually a structure of
typical Baroque architecture. In the upper part of this building you can admire
five beautiful sculptures representing the Gods Jupiter, Venus,
Apollo, Hercules and Minerva.
The Fountain
of the Virgin, the other artistic beauty of this place, was built in the 14th century, it is one of the artistic
flagships of this square created by Cansignorio.
Lovers of
pure art will also be able to appreciate the frescoesof horses dating back
to the 16th century executed on the façade of Casa Mazzanti, another
prestigious palace erected in this monumental corner of Verona.
Then you
will reach the nearby, elegant, Piazza dei Signori where there is a statue
of Dante Alighieri made in 1865 that adorns its center.
The Scaliger
arks are a great attraction and represent a monumental and scenic funerary
complex of the Scaligeri family, a masterpiece of Gothic art that blends
architecture and sculpture praised by the French historian Georges Duby in his
work Europe in the Middle Ages, considering the Scaliger arks as one of the
most illustrious, sublime and significant monuments of Gothic art.
On the right side you will admire the Palazzo della Ragione dating back to
the 12th century and the Palazzo
dei Tribunali with the massive Torre della Scala which boasts a
magnificent portal by the architect Michele Sammicheli.
This
magnificent square was the seat of the city's public institutions,
especially during the period of the Scala lordship.
On the other
side is the beautiful Loggia del Consiglio, one of the most elegant
Renaissance works in Verona with the nearby Palazzo del Governo, the
ancient residence of the Scala family which saw among its guests personalities
of great importance such as Dante and Giotto.
Continuing
along Corso Sant'Anastasiayou will reach the Church of the
same name, a medieval masterpiece in pure Gothic style completed in 1400
although begun around 1280, an artistic jewel made by the Dominican
friars Fra Benvenuto and Nicola da Imola.
The interior
boasts several great paintings of superfine art including the wonderful fresco
by Pisanello depicting St. George and the Princess, the only example of
Gothic courtly art and other masterpieces by Gabriele Caliari and
Paolo Veronese father and an altarpiece by Titian depicting the Assumption
of the Virgin. of extreme importance is the beautiful Pellegrini Chapel
with itsterracotta statues of Michael of Florence .
From Santa
Anastasia, crossing the Stone Bridge and the Roman Theater on the
hill of Castel San Pietro, also part of the old Roman city, you will enjoy
a beautiful view of the Adige river.
Not far from
the bridge you can reach the Cathedral of Santa Maria Matricolare or Duomo,
a very valuable Romanesque style
building that apart from its extraordinary façade that brings together all the
best architectural canons of this style contains a wonderful mix of Baroque,
Gothic and Renaissance combined with the original Romanesque.
With great surprise you will be able to see
that everything is magnificently balanced with a total absence of anomalies,
noticing windows with typical Gothic shapes next to Baroque altars that are not
far from Renaissance chapels.
Time for
your lunch of the day, I recommend among the first courses Gnocchi with
Butter and Sage or Chestnut Tagliolini with Gorgonzola and Asiago, second
courses to choose between Roast Turkey with Herbs or Trout in Baked Fish
both with a side of potatoes and steamed asparagus.
At the end,
free time and continuation of the day admiring the many beauties of Verona,
dinner enjoying the gastronomic delicacies of this Venetian city and overnight
stay in the chosen hotel.
3rd
Day – Arco dei Gavi – Ponte Pietra – Basilica of San Zeno – Colle San Pietro –
Roman Theatre – Castel San Pietro
Start of the
day of visit along the ancient Via Postumia with the Arco dei Gavi,
a monumental and honorary construction of Roman architecture in Verona erected
in the 1st century to celebrate the gens Gavia which in the
Renaissance era was considered among the most appreciated ancient works thanks
to the presence of the signature of Vitruvius recalling the famous Roman
architect who was the great author of the treatise "De architectura"
later described by famous and humanists.
This
monument was also studied as a model by various painters and architects of
great importance such as Bellini, Falconetto, Mantegna, Palladio, Sangallo,
Sanmicheli, and Serlio among others.
Continuation
with the Ponte di Pietra, the oldest bridge in Verona over the Adige
river which is also the only one remaining from Roman times resisting
floods, the Second World War and then redeveloped by recomposing by anastylosis
the stones recovered from the river bed thanks to the contributions of the
architect Libero Cecchini and professor Pietro Gazzola who was
superintendent of the city's monuments.
Afterwards
visit the Basilica of San Zeno, a Romanesque masterpiece dating back to
the 4th century as the date of the start of the works and completed in 1389.
This
magnificent church that overlooks the same square where the abbey tower of San
Zeno and the Church of San Procolo stand is considered one of the jewels of the
Roman Lombard and boasts magnificent works of art such as the portal with
bronze tiles, a unique sculptural work of art, a magnificent rose window
highlight of the façade also called "Wheel of Fortune" by the
stonecutter Brioloto de Balneo.
Inside
there is a work by Andrea Mantegna, the San Zeno Altarpiece executed
between 1456 and 1459 and the crypt that houses the body of the patron saint
of the city San Zeno, placed in an exposed sarcophagus that was consecrated
in 1939 with the body dressed in papal clothes and the face covered by a
silver mask.
This
church, which in 1973 was elevated to a minor basilica during its history,
was a source of inspiration for various,
famous poets and writers such as Dante Alighieri, D' Annunzio, Carducci,
Heine and Barbarani among others.
Time for lunch of the day I recommend Risotto all' Amarone
or Tortellini di Valeggio among the
first courses, among the second courses Lesso with Pearà with vegetables or Patissada
de Caval with a side dish of baked potato puff pastries.
On
the left bank of the Adige there is the Roman Theater built in the 1st century BC therefore older than
the famous Arena.
This site became
a theatrical space since 1948 hosting various events and festivals, associated
with this historical monument is the Archaeological Museum which boasts a
remarkable collection of artifacts from the Roman era also hosting exhibitions
and temporary exhibitions.
Above
the Roman Theater stands Castel San Pietro, which can be reached by funicular
and also on foot, Romanesque fortress offering magnificent panoramic over the
city.
This
stronghold was built in 1398 at the behest of the Duke of Milan Gian Galezzo
Visconti on the ruins of the fortress erected between the 9th and
10th centuries by Berenguario and destroyed by Napoleonic troops in 1801. In
1840 what remained was demolished entirely during the period of the
Lombard-Venetian Kingdom ruled by the Austrian Empire and then in 1851 a sort
of fortress - military barracks was erected that can be seen today.
Visiting
Verona is a great chance to discover one of the most beautiful and fascinating
cities in Italy, a center that often makes you fall in love at first sight for
its atmosphere and the great historical and cultural heritage that boasts in
centuries of great history.
Link
- https://www.visitverona.it/en
Where to Stay | Recommended Accommodation
Hotel Colomba d’ Oro
Hotel Boutique Touring
