Top 25 - Verona Attractions, Italy

Time on the streets of Verona has long stopped. It seems that noble families still live in the houses of the 13th century, the Montagues and Capulets continue their age-old vendetta, and the beautiful Juliet is about to come out on her balcony to tell the moon and stars about her love for young Romeo.

Verona is a famous and important tourist center of 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.

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 Juliet's House, hundreds of people come here every day. It is believed that the attraction was specially created in the 20th century in order to attract more tourists to Verona.

Romeo's house

The house of the Nogarola family of the XIV century, where, according to the ideas of Shakespeare fans and local residents, Romeo lived. The building is a powerful medieval building. The exterior façade is in the Romanesque style, while the Gothic style can be traced on the upper floors. The Montecchi family never owned this building. Romeo's House is located just 150 meters from Juliet's House. The building is a private property, so the inspection is only possible from the outside.

Piazza Bra

One of the central squares of Verona, the public and commercial center of the city. The piazza is so large that it is considered the largest in all of Italy. The facades of the 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

Ancient theater, which is still used for its intended purpose. Every year, opera festivals are held here, where the best troupes from all over the world come together. The amphitheater hosts all kinds of concerts, festive performances, large-scale musical events. Arena di Verona was built before the Roman Colosseum - in the 40s. 1st century AD The attraction can be visited outside the concert as part of the tour.

Signoria Square

Medieval square, which has always housed city governments. Now this place is a popular tourist attraction. There is a monument to Dante Alighieri in the square. The poet lived in the Podesta Palace for 13 years at the invitation of Can Grande dela 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 of Verona, erected on the site of the Roman forum. Piazza is surrounded by historical buildings from different eras. Here you can admire the Gothic House of Merchants, the building of the People's Bank of Verona, Mazzanti House, Palazzo del Comune. The central composition is the fountain of the Madonna of Verona, erected 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 facade is decorated with statues of Roman gods, elegant balconies, arches and semi-columns. Adjacent to the building is the austere brick tower del Gardello with a 15th-century clock face. Opposite the palace there is a column of St. Mark with a winged lion - a symbol of the Venetian Republic, since Verona for some time was the possession of the Venetians.

Castle of Castelvecchio

Medieval defensive structure on the Adige River, which was erected to create a barrier in front of the passage of enemy ships. The castle began to be built after the della Scala family came to power. Thanks to Castelvecchio, by the middle of the 14th century, Verona had become a real fortress 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.

Cathedral of Verona

One of the main city temples, built in a severe Romanesque style. The cathedral was built at the end of the 12th century and modernized in the 15th century. The interior is in a later Gothic style, with red columns, blue vaults with golden stars and airy arches. The cathedral houses unique works of art and objects preserved from the 12th-15th centuries.

Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore

A Romanesque church erected on the site of the tomb of Zenon of Veroni, the first local bishop. The basilica was built in the 10th century under Emperor Otto the Great, in the 12th-13th centuries. some elements were replaced and several extensions appeared. In this form, the temple stood until the 19th century, until it fell into disrepair. The restoration was carried out in 1993, after which the basilica was reopened to the public.

Church of San Lorenzo

Catholic church of the 8th century, founded in honor of St. Lawrence of Rome. In those distant times, 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 vivid example of the early Romanesque style. The church interior has been preserved since 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 quite fast, but the interior strikes with splendor and luxury of decoration. The interior space of the basilica consists of marble columns, picturesque frescoes on the vaulted ceiling, sculptures, chapels and brilliant altars of the noble families of Verona. In its richness, the interior of the Basilica of Santa Anastasia surpasses the decoration of the cathedral.

Arches of the Scaligers

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 family. The arches are considered an outstanding example of the Gothic architectural style. They are located next to the church of Santa Maria Antica of the 7th century, which served as a palace chapel during the reign of the Scaligers.

Arch Gavi

Ancient Roman triumphal arch, built in the 1st century AD. 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, artisan 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 transferred to the amphitheater. The structure was restored and returned to its original location in 1932.

Porta Borsari

Ancient gate of the Roman Empire 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 office for collecting fees from merchants. On the façade, inscriptions in Latin dating back to the 3rd century AD have been preserved. The gates are well preserved, given their age of 20 centuries. The name "Porta Borsari" appeared during the Late Middle Ages.

Porta Leoni

Ancient Roman gates 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 part of the facade and the base of the towers have survived to this day. According to studies, 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

The city gates, 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 on 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 grew to its current size. The building is decorated with old clocks and bells, which once announced the beginning of the war. If you wish, you can climb to the observation deck and admire the views of Verona.

Roman theater

The ruins of the ancient theater on the hillside of St. Peter. Throughout the entire period of the Middle Ages, the building fell into decay. Lombard houses were built on its territory, there was even a residence of one of the Ostrogothic kings. The theater was dug up in 1830, when the site was being cleared of old buildings. Due to the fact that it was underground for a long time, almost all parts of the building are well preserved. During the summer, the theater hosts opera performances.

Archaeological Museum

The exposition of the museum is located in the building of a former monastery not far from the Roman theatre. The museum was organized at the beginning of the 20th century. The collection was replenished by private collections and donations. The museum has many ancient exhibits: sculptures, mosaics, ceramics, bronze figurines, dishes and other artifacts. The surviving monastery church with frescoes of the 16th century is also part of the museum exposition.

Scaliger Bridge

Bridge of the 16th century, built at the behest of the ruler of Can Grande II della Scala. The structure links Castelvecchio with the left bank of the Adige River. The bridge was supposed to provide a quick and imperceptible escape to 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 bridge was restored from fragments in the 50s. XX century.

Bridge Ponte Pietra

Antique arch bridge of the 1st century AD, repeatedly reconstructed and rebuilt over the long centuries of existence. Once the bridge was part of the Roman Postumian Way, which 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, today it is the only surviving antique pontoon in the city.

Garden of Giusti

Palace and park complex on hilly slopes in the eastern part of Verona. It is a palace of the XVI century, surrounded by a landscaped park. Once this area belonged to the Tuscan Giusti family. The complex is made in a classic Mediterranean style: the park is planted with cypresses and arborvitae, numerous alleys are decorated with ancient statues and fountains. The estate was visited by Cosimo Medici, Mozart, Goethe and Russian Emperor Alexander II.

Lake Garda

The largest Italian lake, lying at the foot of the Alps. It is located a few dozen kilometers from Verona. In its form, the reservoir resembles a medieval weapon of the same name, hence such a characteristic name. The surroundings of the lake are a popular and prestigious resort, which has long been chosen by tourists. Cozy towns with hotels and excellent infrastructure stretch along the picturesque shores.