Owing much to Shakespeare for its fame and high profile, the city that was the setting of the classic love tale Romeo and Juliet is a delightful destination offering fine architecture, cultural heritage and a distinctly romantic ambience. As the provincial capital of Veneto in northern Italy, Verona is a large city and one which ranks high on the list of the country’s most popular visitor destinations.
The city is teeming with splendid old buildings, among which the imposing Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore is of particular note. This magnificent 12th century Romanesque church offers some wonderful frescoes and relief sculptures, as well as notable features such as bronze-paneled doors and a large rose window. Artworks in the church represent the Romanesque, Byzantine and Ottoman eras.
A stroll around the city yields a number of interesting sights, with its narrow medieval streets complete with cobblestones and houses that have changed little in centuries. Churches about the city are plentiful and include the likes of San Pietro Martire, San Fermo, Sant’Anastasia and the splendid cathedral (Duomo). Wine lovers might also want to consider that Verona is the producer of some of the country’s finest vintages.
Highlights
Scaligeri Tombs: home to the earthly remains of the Scaligeri family, these tombs are elaborately constructed in Gothic style and are indicative of the family’s wealth and opulence.
Verona Arena: after the Coliseum in Rome, this is the world’s best preserved Roman amphitheater. Dating back to AD 100, besides its obvious historic appeal, the arena’s acoustics make it the ideal venue for live music performances.
Basilica San Zeno Maggiore: the city’s most visited church is dedicated to its patron saint and offers visitors some fine views of its Romanesque architectural features.
Piazza delle Erbe: is one of Italy’s most picturesque squares, and home to fine old buildings, sculptures and a vibrant local food market.
Piazza dei Signori: a Dante statue dating from 1865 is the focal point of this attractive square in which the Palazzo della Raggione and the Loggia del Capitanato are the two most notable buildings.
Juliette’s House: supposedly the house where Juliette lived still has a balcony however nowadays it oozes with graffiti rather than romance.