From a bustling trade center in the 3rd century BC, a transit point for Italian Jews going to Nazi camps, to its transition to a center of fascist control in the 20th century, Verona has been through it all.
Here are its top ten attractions:
1. Piazza delle Erbe
2. Castelvecchio
Verona might not be as glamorous as Rome, Milan, Venice or Florence but it has a large number of Roman ruins outside of Rome but even with that, it is often overlooked. Like Florence, the city is within most of the art and history – remains of roads, ancient walls and monuments sort of blend into the modern lives of everyone who lives in or visits Verona. These gardens lie across the city’s center and have been in existence since 1591. These Renaissance Italian gardens belong to the noble Guisti family which has tended to them since the opening of the gardens. The gardens are a mix of natural and manicured flora along with old trees, grottos and gargoyles and in some places even inscriptions. Both Mozart and Goethe are known to have visited these gardens. The gardens also have labyrinth.
Sources
Day trips to Venice; Basilica; Piazza delle Erbe Verona; Madonna Verona Fountain; Museo di Castel Vecchio; Basilica of San Zeno; Arena; Chiese Verona; Verona Tourism; Basilica of Sant Anastasia; Veron: A Italy and Culture City Guide; Piazza dei Signori; Arche Scaligere; Arche Scaligere Graves; Guisti Garden; Verona Info.
This Romanesque church was built in the 4th century AD though most of the current construction dates back to between 10th and 12th centuries. The nave of the church has frescos dating to the 12th and 15th centuries. The bronze door has 48 intricately carved panels depicting scenes from the Bible. The basilica also houses the crypt holding the patron saint St. Zeno’s corpse.
4. Verona’s Arena
This arena is Verona’s version of Rome’s Colosseum. The pink marble amphitheater was built in the 1st century AD, predating the Colosseum by almost half a century. It is the third largest amphitheatre of its kind in the world. This well preserved structure still has two its original three tiers. It was an open-air opera house seating around 30,000 people. Even today, concerts are held there especially during Verona’s summer opera festival.
This arena is Verona’s version of Rome’s Colosseum. The pink marble amphitheater was built in the 1st century AD, predating the Colosseum by almost half a century. It is the third largest amphitheatre of its kind in the world. This well preserved structure still has two its original three tiers. It was an open-air opera house seating around 30,000 people. Even today, concerts are held there especially during Verona’s summer opera festival.
5. Verona Cathedral (Duomo)
Verona’s Duomo was built in the 12th century and is spectacular both inside and out. Dedicated to St. Mary, the Duomo has a plethora of statues and paintings include one by the Italian maestro Titian. The interior unlike the exterior sober façade, has frescos dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries depicting angels.
6. Casa di Giulietta
If you are a die-hard Shakespeare fan, you have to visit the muse of the famous playwright. The 14th century Casa di Guilietta is the famous stone balcony from where the fictional Romeo would woo Juliet. Though not as overwhelming as it sounds, you can glance at the balcony from the outside instead of going inside since there is not much to it.
If you are a die-hard Shakespeare fan, you have to visit the muse of the famous playwright. The 14th century Casa di Guilietta is the famous stone balcony from where the fictional Romeo would woo Juliet. Though not as overwhelming as it sounds, you can glance at the balcony from the outside instead of going inside since there is not much to it.
7. Basilica di Sant’Anastasia
This basilica is Verona’s largest church. It was constructed between 1290 and 1481 but the exterior façade still remains unfinished. The church has a vaulted ceiling with intricate art local to Verona. Like most Italian churches, this too has many frescos, chapels and alters by famous Italian artists. Don’t miss the church’s famous “Saint George and the Princess” painting by Pisanello.
8. Piazza dei Signori
This particular piazza was once the center of power in Verona. Most of the medieval city’s important buildings are here including the seat of power of Verona’s Scaliger family or the Palazzo Degli Scaligeri and the court among others. The square also has a big statue of Dante Alighieri, the Italian poet who was exiled from Florence in 1302 and given refuge in Verona. Most of the buildings are not open to the public except the 12th-century Palazzo della Ragione housing a modern art gallery.
This particular piazza was once the center of power in Verona. Most of the medieval city’s important buildings are here including the seat of power of Verona’s Scaliger family or the Palazzo Degli Scaligeri and the court among others. The square also has a big statue of Dante Alighieri, the Italian poet who was exiled from Florence in 1302 and given refuge in Verona. Most of the buildings are not open to the public except the 12th-century Palazzo della Ragione housing a modern art gallery.
9. Arche Scaligere
To the northeast of the Piazza dei Signori are the Arche Scaligere, the ornate Gothic tombs of Verona’s Della Scala family who ruled from the 13th to the late 14th century. There are five such monuments in total; all the graves are in shape of small temples, each covered in a canopy. The tombs are in front of a little church called the Santa Maria Antica church.
To the northeast of the Piazza dei Signori are the Arche Scaligere, the ornate Gothic tombs of Verona’s Della Scala family who ruled from the 13th to the late 14th century. There are five such monuments in total; all the graves are in shape of small temples, each covered in a canopy. The tombs are in front of a little church called the Santa Maria Antica church.
10. Giardino Giusti
Verona might not be as glamorous as Rome, Milan, Venice or Florence but it has a large number of Roman ruins outside of Rome but even with that, it is often overlooked. Like Florence, the city is within most of the art and history – remains of roads, ancient walls and monuments sort of blend into the modern lives of everyone who lives in or visits Verona.
Related Blogs in-and-around Verona & Italy
Related Routes in-and-around Verona & Italy
Verona in Half a Day
Verona is the city of love. Try this walk to get through the most important places of Verona in just half a day to get a great overview of the city.
Verona is the city of love. Try this walk to get through the most important places of Verona in just half a day to get a great overview of the city.
Sources
Day trips to Venice; Basilica; Piazza delle Erbe Verona; Madonna Verona Fountain; Museo di Castel Vecchio; Basilica of San Zeno; Arena; Chiese Verona; Verona Tourism; Basilica of Sant Anastasia; Veron: A Italy and Culture City Guide; Piazza dei Signori; Arche Scaligere; Arche Scaligere Graves; Guisti Garden; Verona Info.
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