The history of Verona consists of different eras, each of which is captured in architecture. The walking route through the center of Verona includes the main attractions from prehistoric times to the present day. If you limit yourself to an external inspection of these objects, you can do everything in one day. Many places are free, for visiting museums and monuments with paid entrance it is advantageous to buy a Verona card.
If you like the format of self-guided walking tours, download the Verona walking tour on your mobile phone and walk at your own pace, learning interesting facts, legends and riddles along the way.
1. Our route starts at the main square of Verona Piazza Bra
2. Most of the area is occupied Arena di Verona- Roman amphitheater of the 1st century BC In other parts of Piazza Bra are the palaces of Palazzo Barbieri and Palazzo della Gran Guardia.
3. Visit the Verona IAT information office and head along via degli Alpini and Stradone Maffei to Chiesa di San Fermo- one of the four main churches of Verona in the 11th century.
4. Take via Leoni to Porta Leoni, named after Roman sarcophagi with two lions
5. Continue along via Cappello to house 23. Entrance to Juliet's house through the archway, the courtyard houses the famous balcony, a bronze statue of Juliet and a gift shop
6. Ahead opens Piazza delle Erbe where the market was located in ancient times. The Grass Square is surrounded by historical buildings and palaces: Domus Mercatorum, Palazzo Maffei, Torre del Gardello, Mazzanti's houses, the fountain of the Madonna of Verona. Palazzo Maffei Verona is located in a 17th century palazzo. overlooking the central square
7. Adjacent to Erbe Square Palazzo della Regione with large courtyard, Gothic staircase and Torre dei Lamberti tower with panoramic views of the city
8. Walk along via dalla Costa to Piazza dei Signori, also known as Piazza Dante (from the statue in the center). Some of the most significant buildings of Verona were built here: the Council Lodge, the Captain's Palace, the New Cathedral, the Scaliger Palace
9. Behind Saint Maria Antica you will see three Arches of the Scaligers- an amazing example of Gothic architecture of the XIV century.
10. Continuing along the streets of via Santa Maria in Chiavica and via San Pietro Martire, you will find yourself in front of Church of Saint Anastasia. The largest basilica of Verona was built in the XIV-XV centuries.
11. Go around the church and walk along the embankment to the stone bridge Ponte Pietra
12. Ruins remain on the other side of the Adige River Roman theater I in AD Now it is a museum of archeology. If you want to stay in this beautiful and quiet part of Verona - Veronetta, pay attention to the inexpensive B&B Residenza San Faustino
13. Climbing up the stairs, you will find yourself at the castle Castel S. Pietro- a panoramic platform overlooking the city. Here you can meet the sunset and finish the route
14. Those who want to continue the walk descend from St. Peter's Hill, cross the Ponte Pietra bridge and turn right. Located in Piazza Duomo Cathedral of Verona
15. Walking along the river along the embankment or parallel streets via Pigna, via S. Mamaso, Corso Porta Borsari, you will find yourself at Borsari gate, which served as the entrance to the city in the Roman era
16. Continuing in the same direction on Corso Cavour, you will see Arch Gavi
17. To the left of the arch rises the castle of Castelvecchio, the construction of which lasted from 1354 to 1376. Inside is the Veneto Art Museum. Museum of Castelvecchio
Scaliger Bridge 18. The castle and the left bank of Verona connects Scaliger Bridge. Ponte Scaligero is one of the main symbols of Verona and the scene of Shakespeare's tragedy "Romeo and Juliet"
19. On the bridge you can walk to the building Arsenal 19th century
20. The last section of the path runs along the Rigaste San Zeno embankment. Turning left, you will face Church of San Zeno where the relics of Saint Zeno, the patron saint of Verona, are kept
For a more complete acquaintance with the city, go to.
TOURIST ANSWERS:
The Italian city of love, Verona, owes its popularity mostly to Shakespeare, because it is in Verona that tragic events unfold in the events in the work "Romeo and Juliet", which had a historical basis. In the 16th century, two very respected and wealthy families lived in Verona, while they were terribly at odds. The prototype of the Capulet family (Juliet) was the Dal Capello clan, their house is still located in the city at st. Capello 23. Even the balcony, where Romeo confessed his love to Juliet, has been preserved (well, it doesn’t matter that there is nowhere to turn around on the balcony). According to legend, if lovers kiss under this balcony, they will be together forever.
Unfortunately, in 1667 the house was sold to the Rizzardi family and they turned it into an inn. However, the house is now home to a museum that is open from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM, with admission for adults only 4 euros.
In 1972, a statue of Juliet was installed under the balcony, the author was Nereo Costantini. According to legend, if you touch the right breast of the statue, it brings good luck in love :), you can come and check it yourself. By the way, in Juliet's house you can even hold a wedding ceremony for 1500 euros.
If there is Juliet's house, then there must be Romeo's house. The house, which is considered the home of Romeo, most likely has nothing to do with the prototype of this famous character. Romeo's house is a Gothic building from the 14th-16th centuries, owned by Cagnoli Nagorolo. The house was sold several times in parts and, in fact, little was left of the original interior. 
Now it is a building with a beautiful facade and nothing more.
Another attraction of Verona associated with Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is Juliet's tomb. The tomb is a red marble sarcophagus, which is located in the crypt of the Capuchin monastery. Whether Juliet really lies there is not known for certain; they learned about the tomb only when the novel by Luigi da Porto "The Story of Great Lovers" was published. A few centuries later, Germaine de Steele's novel Karina was published, and Juliet's sarcophagus was also mentioned there. All this time the sarcophagus was in the garden. Over time, it was moved closer to the temple, antique statues were installed, and a bust of Shakespeare was installed. After the release of the film "Romeo and Juliet" in 1936, the sarcophagus was moved to the monastery and Juliet's personal mailbox was installed nearby, where letters from all over the world are sent, only it is not Juliet who answers them, but the caretaker of the monastery. 
The next attraction of Verona is the castle of Castelvecchio - an example of the architecture of the Scaliger period. For many centuries, the castle was the residence of the kings and rulers of the country, there were also armories, stables, etc. Now the castle houses a museum of Venetian painting, which exhibits works by such masters as Veronese, Titian, Carpaccio. There is also the Arch of the Scaligers (the tomb of the Scaligers) - Cangrande I della Scala. 
Other famous Arches (tombs) of the Scaligers are not far from the church of Santa Maria Antica. By itself, the most important tomb of Cangrande I della Scala has the shape of a tabernacle - a chicly decorated niche with a statue of Cangrande I della Scala (only here is a copy, the original is in Castelvecchio). Also nearby are the very rich tombs of Mastino II della Scala and Cansignorio della Scala and more modest tombs of other members of the family. 
Considering the tombs of the famous Skallingers, it is also worth visiting the church of Santa Maria Antica itself - this is one of the most visited places in Verona (probably the second after Juliet's house). The very first building was built in the 7th century, but in the 10th century the building was destroyed by an earthquake, in 1185 the church was rebuilt again, after which the church was rebuilt several times and in the 19th century it was given its present appearance. 
Another famous and very prominent landmark of the city is the Lamberti Tower, or as it is also called the tower with bells. The height of this structure is 83 meters and it was built in 1172. At the top there is a wonderful observation deck with a magnificent view. 
There is still a lot of interesting things in the city, there is so much to see, the main thing is that there is enough time. Unfortunately, 5 days in Verona is not enough at all, time runs so fast that after spending seemingly only 20 minutes in Juliet's house, it turns out that already 3 hours have passed! So plan your trip so that you have time to see everything. We really wanted to take a closer look at the Maffei Palace - a baroque building decorated with statues of the gods and there is also a statue of a winged lion - a symbol of Venice, under whose rule Verona spent as many as 4 centuries. 
Helpful answer?
In my opinion, making a tour of Italy and visiting cities such as Rome or Venice, you can not ignore the no less famous, thanks to the pen of the great Shakespeare, the city of which is Verona. It is after acquaintance with the tragedy of William Shakespeare about the unhappy love of Romeo and Juliet that many people have a desire to visit this city. Thousands of lovers from around the world come to Verona every year to visit the house with a small balcony, (Casa di Giulietta) where, according to legend, Juliet lived, 
in the courtyard, touch her bronze sculpture for good luck and leave your love message on a piece of paper, attaching it to the wall with chewing gum. You can visit this courtyard and the house any day, since this museum is open seven days a week from 8.30 am to 19.30 pm, the only day is Monday, when the opening is not in the morning, but from lunch at 2 pm and also until 7.30 pm. Admission to the courtyard is free, and a tour of Juliet's mansion costs one euro for children, four euros for adults, and three euros for students and students. This historic house is located almost in the center of the city on 23 Capello Street. The name of the street is directly related to the Capello family, which became the prototype of the family of the heroine of the story Juliet Capulet. To consider the tour more complete, you need to visit the place where there is a red marble sarcophagus in which Juliet was buried (Tomba di Giulietta). 
Although there is no evidence that this is exactly the sarcophagus, and representatives of the church even officially refute this fact, the interest of tourists in it has not decreased. Having changed several places of his stay, he eventually ended up in one of the church premises resembling a crypt, according to the description, similar to the one Shakespeare wrote about. The entrance to the building of the tomb with the sarcophagus of Juliet is open daily from 8.30 am to 6.30 pm, on Monday the work schedule is again from 2 pm to 5.30 pm. The visit is paid and costs three euros for adults, one euro for children and two euros for students and pupils. The building itself is located at Via del Pontiere 35.
The house where Romeo lived (Casa di Romeo), 
also preserved but is currently in private ownership, and which now operates the restaurant "Osteria Dal Duca". By the way, both houses and Romeo and Juliet were built in the 14th century.
Another attraction of Verona is the Arena di Verona amphitheater, which was built almost two thousand years ago and is the third largest amphitheater in Italy. Its 44 audience halls are made of marble and can accommodate over 30,000 people. 
Currently, this arena hosts numerous concerts and performances of opera performers, as well as theatrical performances. The cost of such concerts ranges from 15 to 200 euros. If you have a desire to get to one of the performances, then first check out the schedule of performances, which can be found on the amphitheater's website. You can also find information about ticket prices there. The theater and concert season lasts all three summer months. Considering that up to fifty concerts and performances are held during this time, it turns out that performances are held every other day. On non-concert days, the arena is open to tourists and the opening hours and entrance fees are exactly the same as the schedule and cost of Juliet's house. The amphitheater is located at Via Dietro Anfiteatro, 6b, Piazza Brà.
An equally interesting object to visit is the Church of San Zeno Maggiore (Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore), 
which in the fifth century was built on the burial place of St. Zeno. Over the course of five centuries, the church was destroyed twice, and from the tenth century, being completed and expanded, it began to take on the form in which it is before us. The architecture and interior decoration with its frescoes and statues is striking in its beauty. 
The basilica is currently open to the public and the relics of St. Zeno (the first bishop of Verona) kept in a transparent sarcophagus are an object of pilgrimage for believers not only from Italy. The visiting time of the Basilica is from 8.30 am to 18.00 pm. The entrance fee for children is 2.5 euros and for adults 5 euros. The church is located on Piazza San Zeno (Saint Zeno Square).
And there are more than a dozen similar churches in Verona, built since the seventh century, and each of them is of great interest.
In addition to churches, Verona has several museums and galleries, which contain exhibits of both modern and ancient art. One of these is the Museo Civico di Castelvecchio (City Museum of Castelvecchio), located on the territory of a medieval castle. 
In its 26 halls, a large number of exhibits of medieval sculptures and paintings are exhibited. You can visit the exposition every day from 8.30 to 19.30. The cost of a child ticket is one euro, an adult ticket is eight euros. The castle is located at Castelvecchio 2. The castle is connected to the city by the Scaliger Bridge, which was built in the 14th century and was at that time the only approach to the castle. 
No less beautiful medieval bridge of Verona can be called Pietra Bridge. During the Second World War, the bridge was badly damaged by bombing, but then all parts of the bridge were assembled and restored to their original form. The restored part of the bridge is visible by its distinctive color. 
Next to the bridge there is another ancient structure that dates back to the first century AD. These are the ruins of the Teatro Romano (Roman Theatre), fragments of which are perfectly preserved, although in the Middle Ages this place was actively built up. 
Now the territory of the theater is used as a museum.
In addition, you can go to the Maffei Lapidarium Museum, which was opened back in the 18th century and contains exhibits found during excavations in the Verona area. Wander along Porta Borsari, which was the main street of the Roman era and on which traces of it have been preserved in the form of various fragments of marble columns and bas-reliefs among more modern buildings.
In general, there is something to see in Verona and the time spent in this most interesting city will not be wasted. And you can stay in one of the hotels or boarding houses of the city, which have a fairly large selection for every taste.
Helpful answer?
Verona, the city where Romeo and Juliet lived, is extraordinarily beautiful, although progress takes its toll, and the city is gradually turning into a major industrial center of Italy.
Magnificent Verona can even compete with Rome in terms of an incredible number of all kinds of ancient monuments. The list of attractions located in the city is simply huge and listing it will be lengthy. These are the gates of Leoni and Barsara, the Pietra bridge, and, of course, the world-famous ancient Roman amphitheater Arena, not to mention the incomparable and incomparable four temples - San Fermo, the Cathedral, San Zeno and Santa Anastasia. I want to warn you right away that the entrance to each of the above churches costs 2.50 euros.
Verona, Via Cappello, 21- at this address is probably the most famous house in the world - the house of Juliet, built according to the project of the XIII century and at one time belonged to the Capuleti family.
Veneto, Verona- this is the address of the Church of St. Anastasia, which is the largest building in the city, built in the Gothic style. The beginning of construction dates back to the 13th century. The temple is very impressive with its decoration, both inside and outside.
Veneto, Verona, Piazza Bra 28- here is the Arena of Verona, erected almost 2000 years ago, which was in its time and
Roman amphitheater, and later became, thanks to its excellent acoustics, the largest opera house in the world.
Piazza Duomo 21. Here, you will find the main Catholic church of Verona, the construction of which began in the XII century. Perhaps the most significant work of art inside the temple is the image of the "Ascension of the Virgin Mary" by Titian, presented to us in the Renaissance style. And of course, do not forget about the masterpiece of Liberale da Verona "The Adoration of the Magi", as well as "The Entombment" by Nicolo Giolfino. In addition, nearby, in the baptistery, it is worth admiring a marble font dating from the 13th century.
You can fully enjoy the wonderful architecture of medieval Verona on Signoria Square (Piazza dei Signori), at the address: Piazza dei Signori, 37121 Verona VR, Italy. All the beauty of the square and the inimitable and unique palaces adjacent to it cannot be described in words. Here every house is a work of art.
Another place worth visiting is the Archaeological Museum, located at: Via Regaste Redentore, 2, 37129 Verona. The cost of the entrance ticket is 4.50 euros.
Palazzo Pompeii and the Museum of Natural History, is considered the largest museum in Europe (Museo civico di storia naturale), whose exhibits tell about the prehistoric era of the area. You can find it at: Lungadige Porta Vittoria, 9, 37129 Verona.
Tired of exploring the sights of the city, you can visit countless wine exhibitions, with the obligatory tasting of delicious Italian wines. Or visit the Italian Disneyland, located near Lake Garda. The ticket price for an adult is 35 euros, and for a child, if his height is higher than a meter, it is 29 euros (well, if it is lower, respectively, then you are lucky - admission is free.)
What to see in Verona in 1 day on your own? If you have this question, then you are already mentally prepared to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Shakespeare's city of tragic love and its cultural heritage. And this heritage is really diverse - Verona received the status of "little Rome" quite deservedly.
When hearing about the Basilica of San Fermo, most people think of the masterpieces of the upper church, which is a brilliant example of Gothic architecture. It is in the upper halls that the mausoleum of the Della Torre family is located, the brilliant sculptural group “Lamentation of Christ”, frescoes by Pisanello. However, only in the lower church the spirit of the Benedictine order of the eleventh century has been preserved.
The ponderous Verona Romanesque architecture contrasts with the wooden ribbed ceilings of the upper nave. More ancient frescoes have been preserved here, for example, “Madonna Enthroned with Child and Two Saints”, as well as a number of tombstones, securely covered with a dense “forest” of pilasters and columns. A standard ticket will cost you 2.50 euros. The church is open from 8:30 to 18:00 in summer and from 10:00 to 17:00 in winter.
Museum and Castle of Castelvecchio
On the left bank of the Adige is the brightest example of Gothic architecture during the reign of the Scaligers. Built as a fortification, it fulfilled its original purpose until the beginning of the twentieth century, when instead of army barracks it was decided to place museum collections here, which you can see by paying 6 euros.
There are still remains of ancient Roman buildings made of red brick. You can see an extensive collection of sculptures in the Romanesque style. There is also a collection of paintings, the pearl of which are the works of Pisanello. Connoisseurs are guaranteed to be interested in paintings and frescoes of the fourteenth century. The museum is open daily from 8:30 to 19:30. On Mondays, the working day starts at 13:30.
Giusti Palace and Park
The oldest palace and park complex Giusti is imposingly located among the hills near the eastern outskirts of Verona. The local palace is considered atypical due to its location at the foot of the mountain, and not closer to its top. Passing through the closed Romanesque courtyard, you can go to the belvedere and enjoy the panoramic view of Verona from here.
A little lower are terraces and an old grotto with a sculptural composition in the center. The lush gardens that surround this exquisite palace are still considered some of the most beautiful of the "Italian" gardens for which the late Renaissance period was famous. It is not surprising that Goethe fell in love with this park so much. Today it can be visited by paying 7 euros. Here is one of the oldest labyrinths in Italy, centuries-old cypresses, statues and another panoramic platform.
Porta Leoni
The Lion's Gate is considered one of the most ancient city gates of old Verona. Built back in the days of the ancient Roman conquests, they have lost their original name, popping up under different names in different parts of the history of Verona. They got their current name quite banally: not far from the gate there is a tomb, which is “guarded” by lions.
Facing the double façade, notice the small brick wall that rises up next door. This is a fragment of an even more ancient gate. The estimated time of their construction is estimated at the first century BC. Unfortunately, today only the right side of the facade has been preserved from the port of Leoni. The outer facade has not been preserved, but the inner facade, lined with white stone and decorated with twisted columns, still faces the forum of Verona.
Signoria Square
If you move from Piazza delle Erbe, you are guaranteed to find yourself in the historical surroundings of Piazza della Signoria, also known as Piazza Dante. Once it combined the arena for political disputes and the main administrative dominant of the historical center of Verona. The basis of the enchanting architectural complex of the square was the arches of the Scaligers of the twelfth century, which are stunning examples of the Gothic style.
These lavishly decorated royal sarcophagi are located outside the Basilica of Santa Maria Antica. The ensemble is complemented by the loggia of the Council, for the decoration of which only the best craftsmen were always invited, the Palace of Justice with the Lambrety Tower and a number of other structures. A Carrara marble sculpture of Dante watches over the square from a pedestal.
Arches of the Scaligers
The thin spiers of the arches that adorn Piazza della Signori instantly attract attention. Various shades of brown are organically woven into the urban landscape of Verona. These Gothic tombstones were inspired by the hanging sarcophagus, which is located near the church of Santa Anastasia. They immortalized the rulers of the Scaliger family, who were in power during the Middle Ages. The tombstone of Cangrade I is considered one of the most outstanding examples of Veronese sculptural thought. The author of this fine work has remained unknown, although most art historians tend to authorize Regino. The Cansillorio arch has a hexagonal outline and is decorated with twisted columns. And finally, the Mastino II arch is a light structure on which angels and the deceased ruler himself sit.
Cathedral
One of the most beautiful cathedrals in the city of Romeo and Juliet is the Cathedral of Verona, which combines the features of the Romanesque and Gothic styles. The marble façade, which is unusually complex in terms of composition, consists of three buttresses. The oldest of them was decorated in the eleventh century by Nikolaus. The exterior Romanesque-Gothic design turns into Baroque and Renaissance interiors.
The whole cathedral is like a painted canvas: white and red marble columns, arches with tympanums, prophets and magical creatures, images of the Virgin Mary and Saints. Of particular note are the organs, of which there are two in the cathedral. Gilding and intricate carvings are complemented by sixteenth-century paintings. The price of the entrance ticket is 2.50 euros. The cathedral is open from 10:00 to 17:30 from Monday to Saturday.
Santa Anastasia
The largest church in Verona belonged to the Dominican order. It is located in the oldest part of the city on the stretch of road near the Ponte Pietra bridge. Once there was another basilica, but at the beginning of the thirteenth century it was transferred to the order, and the construction of a new building began. In the external design, the high spire of the bell tower and the sarcophagus of Guglielmo di Castelbarco of the fourteenth century catches the eye.
Be sure to visit the interior of the basilica - the "hunchbacks of St. Anastasia" - grotesque sculptural compositions as famous as the North Dame gargoyle - any company will be welcome. The floor of the church is also a piece of art - a brilliant mosaic of blue-gray, white and pink marble partially repeats the facing of the portal and is the creation of Pietro da Porlezza.
Arch of Porta Borsari
Another ancient gate of Verona, partially preserved to this day, was erected as a military outpost in the southern tip of the city. Behind the ancient Roman facade that has come down to us, barracks should have been located. Already at the time of its creation, the gates of Porta Borsari were richly decorated. This was due to their location - at the intersection of two main streets of Verona, which stretched from south to north and from east to the smell. Today, the remains of a small antique courtyard, which adjoined close to the gate, have also been preserved. If you carefully examine the lower tier of structures, then between the two arched openings you will notice the inscription “Colonia Verona Augusta” carved on the stone. The inscription was made by an unknown person, but dates from the middle of the third century AD.
Palace of Maffei
The main decoration of Piazza delle Erbe is the Maffei Palace. It is located on the site of the former Roman Forum and the Capitoline Hill. According to the original plan of the fifteenth century, the palace was supposed to be two-story, but the plans were eventually changed, and today the palace has three floors. It is noteworthy that almost a two-century break in construction did not violate the architectural organicity - the baroque pomposity ideally suited the richest family of Verona.
A spiral staircase made of stone connects the cellars and the roof. It is noteworthy that it was built without a single support. And on the roof there is an excellently preserved balustrade with sculptures of ancient Roman gods and heroes. Today, the Maffei Palace is not a museum. It houses the apartments of Palazzo Maffei Verona.
Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore
This masterpiece of the Romanesque style appeared on the architectural map of Verona as early as the seventh century. The monumental building of the basilica became the burial place of Bishop Zenon, who was canonized as a saint. It is noteworthy that the crypt where the remains of the bishop are kept looks really ominous: decayed bones still rest in a transparent sarcophagus, and in the evenings the crypt is illuminated. Bas-reliefs, statues, skillful carvings - all this appeared on the facade of the basilica much later than its creation.
The very same facade, made of pink marble and golden tuff, looks majestic and somewhat ponderous. The cost of a ticket to the basilica is 2.50 euros. From March to October it is open for tourists from 8:30 to 18:00, on Sundays it opens at 12:30. In winter, the basilica closes an hour earlier.
Piazza delle Erbe
Piazza delle Erbe or Grass Square is comfortably located on the ruins of the ancient forum. During the day, it literally boils because of hundreds of thousands of tourists who want to see the most central square of Verona with their own eyes. Therefore, it is better to postpone the walk until the evening, namely, until Sunday evening. Why until this day? Everything is pretty simple.
Sunday is the best day to settle down in Osteria al Canton with a glass of Italian wine and fully enjoy the beauty of Piazza delle Erbe. After all, it is on Sundays that all sorts of stalls disappear, and nothing prevents you from considering in detail the solemn beauty of the Mazzanti Palace, the Lamberti Tower, the Madonna Fountain and other dominants of the square.
Wall of Love
To approach Juliet's balcony, you will have to dive into a small arched passage, the walls of which are covered with thousands of declarations of love from the ground and almost to the beam ceilings. There are so many inscriptions that they crawl one on top of the other and mix into one multi-colored multilingual mess. The wall appeared as if in opposition to Shakespearean tragedies - local Romeo and Juliet meet their happy ending or happy beginning in Verona. Even if you arrived in Verona without your soulmate, do not be discouraged - many write here not only confessions, but also wishes of love - to themselves and their loved ones.
Juliet's house
Oddly enough, but the great playwright himself, who gave the world "King Lear", "Hamlet", "Romeo and Juliet" and other well-known plays, never visited Verona. But fans of the play about lovers, whose misfortune was destined by the stars, decided that since the actions were to take place in Verona, it was really necessary to find a suitable entourage for them. And so the house of Juliet appeared, or rather, the house of the Capello family.
Hundreds of thousands of tourists daily rush to a small courtyard, where, under a carved balcony, Romeo in love confessed his feelings. There is also a bronze statue of Juliet, whose right breast must be touched for good luck. You can enter the courtyard for free, but a tour of the house will cost 6 euros. Tours are held from 8:30 to 19:30 on all days except Mondays. On Mondays Juliet's House opens at 13:30.
Lamberti Tower
This tower continues to maintain the status of the tallest building in Verona, but it was not always so. It was named after the Lamberti family, who financed the construction. The skeleton of the future tower was laid in the twelfth century. Then it was supposed to become part of the Rajone Palace, but during a thunderstorm, the tower was severely damaged by lightning.
During the reconstruction period, as more and more new floors were completed, the craftsmen stopped at least trying to imitate the authenticity of the structure: the lower floors were built from a mixture of tufa and brick, above there were purely brick medieval walls, and then a marble bell tower. The entrance ticket also includes a visit to the modern art gallery. The full ticket price is 8 euros. Ticket offices are open from Monday to Friday - from 10:00 to 17:00 and from 11:00 to 18:15 on weekends.
Arena di Verona
Arena di Verona is a monumental pink marble amphitheater built by the ancient Romans. Today, the Arena is considered the third largest building of this type in Italy. And recently she turned two thousand years old! The architects of the past centuries did a great job - the acoustics of the Arena are so perfect that even today opera concerts are held here mainly.
Connoisseurs recognize that the Arena di Verona always plays the best productions of "Romeo and Juliet." True, such performances are possible only in the warm season. A full ticket will cost you 10 euros. Concert tickets are paid separately. Usually the price varies from 24 to 100 euros. Tours are held from 8:30 to 19:30. On Mondays, the Arena opens at 13:30.
Palazzo della Ragione and the most photographed staircase
The Palace of Reason is a historic building that, since its construction in the twelfth century, has managed to survive several destructions, but at the same time managed to defend its unusual authentic appearance. The square in plan of the palazzo occupies more than two thousand square meters, which made it one of the largest buildings of the Middle Ages.
Despite the fact that the palazzo is attributed mainly to the Romanesque style of architecture, the facade overlooking Piazza delle Erbe is made in the neoclassical style, while the second facade has absorbed the features of the high Renaissance. The main tower can only be reached by climbing a huge marble staircase. A visit to the interior, where frescoes, canvases and various sculptures are concentrated, will cost you 8 euros. During the summer period, the palazzo is open from 11:00 to 19:00, in winter the working day is reduced by two hours.
Castle of St. Peter - observation deck
The fortress, erected on the site of a former Roman temple, was named after the Apostle Peter. Its location was not accidental - the hill on which the castle stands is rounded by the Adige River and is high enough to see the whole of Verona. These two qualities were of the greatest strategic value. The modern observation deck offers a truly fantastic view of the city. The castle was neglected for many years, and now active restoration work is being carried out on its territory. According to the current plan, a museum is to be opened under the vaults of St. Peter's Castle. Entrance to the castle grounds is free, but expect a rather grueling climb - the funicular has not been operating for many years.
- Walking around Verona, carefully look not only under your feet, but also up.
- If you want to find places that are frequented by locals, don't be afraid to get off the tourist trails and go deeper into the side streets.
- Visit via Mazzini only if you are going shopping.
- If you want to visit as many museums as possible, but only spend time, plan your trip so that it falls on the first Sunday of the month. On this day, admission to most museums is free or for a purely nominal fee.
- Think about getting a VeronaCard if you are planning a more intense sightseeing vacation. There are different types of cards. The most popular are designed for 24 and 48 hours. The first will cost 18 euros, the second 22. Such a card allows you to visit twenty attractions: the Arena di Verona, Juliet's house, the Basilica of St. Anastasia and other tourist places. (No ratings yet)
Any city built by the river is alive in a special way. Leaving the cramped medieval quarters of Verona here, right on the embankment, we see the Adige River, coming from the distant Alps and freely pushing the city space. She drowned this city so many times and destroyed bridges until people learned to completely contain her flood.
Its two banks join Ponte Pietra bridge, the oldest and built back in antiquity, when Verona was a Roman colony. Measuring steps along the ancient bridge stones, one cannot help but imagine how the Veronese people walked along them in the same way in ancient times. “In Verona, one should not so much chase sights as simply walk along it, looking at passing houses and arches, diving into nooks and yards. Each stone here is old, and everything plunges into a huge fairy tale of epochs, ”the people who have been here more than once say so.
Opening the sights map
Deciding with anticipation what to see in Verona, we choose its most memorable places. Heading straight from the embankment to explore the marvelous city, we find ourselves on Piazza Bra (Piazza Bra)- the center of modern Verona. The oldest Gate Porta Della Bra mark the passage to this historical space. The area is huge, you can walk on it for a long time, looking at the palaces and fountains. But the center of attraction for people on it is the Roman amphitheater, or otherwise the arena. In ancient times, all mass events and spectacles, such as gladiator fights, were held here.
Only the Colosseum itself is larger than this gigantic place. The amazing thing is that it does not just stand in the dust of its former glory, but is constantly used for crowded holidays and shows. Thus, the largest festival of opera music is held in the amphitheater. But because of its huge prestige, you can’t get on it for anything, so if you want, book tickets in advance! Consider housing options ahead of time, too, because it is forbidden to spend the night in the open air and pitch tents on the square, as the signs say for the benefit of all resourceful tourists! This is subject to a small fine of up to 500 euros.
Moving on, we come to Piazza delle Erbe. In ancient times, merchants came here to trade, here people learned what was happening in the vast world. Now this square is also full of visitors, but already tourists, who are offered a cosmic assortment of medieval souvenirs, books, paintings and food. It might not hurt someone to buy a guide here. In addition, where else, if not here, you can feel the local communication, see the energetic faces of the Veronians and communicate with them, maybe with smiles and gestures, and maybe in their language. Locals do not like to appear on the tourist "paths", but on the square you can watch them to your heart's content. “In general, people in Verona are not stiff, like in the rest of Italy, but they are very friendly and smile widely at tourists!” - all newcomers are happy to notice.
While still in the thick of stalls, we will see sculptures from afar. This Fountain of Madonna Venus attracted us. Built in the 14th century, it seems very elegant and perfect to a modern person. Nearby stands the column of St. Mark, which depicts a winged lion - so Venice once marked its influence over Italy.
New secrets of Verona
On Erbe Square is also visible to everyone Lambretti Tower. This is the tallest building in Verona. We will definitely climb it and see how the ornate pattern of cramped streets and fabulous roofs so comfortable to the eye is closed by mountains, alpine giants. “There, below, it sometimes seemed that there were more people on the streets than the old roads could calmly carry ... But here you can see: Verona is wide and very hospitable!” - says one traveler, who has been sitting upstairs for 30 minutes.
And it is true. Let's go down and understand that we are going somewhere in the very depths of medieval stories. One of them is about the legendary Dante, who lived in Verona after his exile from Florence. Him on Piazza dei Signorii, another square, a monument was erected.
From here you can go to family tomb of the Scaligeri dynasty(street Via Santa Maria Antica, 1), which has long ruled in Verona. Nothing terrible is felt here, but you feel solemn and concentrated, as always, in contact with Gothic buildings.
Residents of Verona speak of their hometown as follows:
“In general, you can continuously walk around Verona and fall into a trance because of the excess of all this beauty!”
And, really, is it necessary to strive to be in time everywhere in one day, if we are already in his full power? Perhaps, where else it is worth going today is to the “Shakespearean” places.
Getting out again at the intersection, we suddenly notice that the locals do not follow the traffic lights at all. They cross the road as soon as the traffic stops. The people loitering by the side of the road in Verona are always tourists. Here's another way to show off!
Although, we are not hiding, enthusiastically looking at everything around. A very large stream of people with cameras overwhelms us and leads us exactly to the right place. Here stands the cult Juliet's house(St. Capello, 23). Everyone remembers that the action of Romeo and Juliet took place in Verona. And, probably, the prototype of the Capulet family was the Capello family, who owned this mansion of the XIV century. It also has a balcony, well remembered from the book, and Juliet herself stands next to the house - a statue depicting a really very beautiful, touching and thoughtful girl. “You see her, and the sublime image does not break, it is easy to imagine the real Juliet in her, the way she is ideally,” one man nearby remarks. Isn't this the greatest praise for a sculpture?
People like to create legends, and they associated the fulfillment of their love dreams with this place. Someone writes cherished names and messages on the walls, hangs locks on the handrails, and someone touches Juliet herself ... The only thing that is somewhat surprising in this respect is that the story of Romeo and Juliet is tragic. How can she contact a happy union? Rather, Verona itself, abundant and prosperous, disposes everyone to love.
See for sure!
On the map of Verona, we are particularly attracted to a couple more places. One of them - Cathedral(Piazza Duomo, 21), a truly majestic building. Ancient columns, sculptures and arches, revealing religious stories, surround us. In a word, it is as if you are in a sacred museum and it is not so important whether you are a believer or not.
Having received a special mood from this place, you need to go to Church of Santa Anastasia(St. Vicolo Sotto Riva, 4). She is over eight hundred years old, and she is the largest in all of Verona. We go inside and hold our breath. Everything is striking: every detail of the medieval vision, every curve of the interior. The bowls with holy water, which are held by two hunchbacks, stand out very much. They say that the sculptor sculpted them from the Veronians themselves, from millers who dragged heavy sacks of flour. But the sensations are very unusual: either there are some fairy-tale heroes in front of you, or two people from distant eras who have remained here forever.
To feel the spirit of the European Middle Ages is the main desire of many travelers in Verona. Therefore, a place that can not be missed in any way - Museum of Castelvecchio(St. Castelvecchio, 2), located on one of the banks of the Adige. Once it was a castle of the Scaliger dynasty, severe and canonical in appearance. Now there is a City Museum in it, which contains works of mainly Verona and other artists and masters of the Middle Ages. You need to come here to see a part of the culture created by people who worked here and saw Verona for real, with their soul. In the museum you can discover something that is not on crowded excursions and trampled tourist routes.
There is one more place removed from the main excursion routes - Castle of San Pietro. Here you can already see a large hill, which was the most important viewing object before, when San Pietro served as a defensive fortress. From above, where you can climb, you can see the whole of Verona and the river opens in its expanse beauty. Panoramic photo will turn out with a bang! The surroundings of the castle itself now serve as a public park, where residents of the city are very fond of visiting. In these places, nature is freely felt, it is good to come to them just after everything ... and let the impressions settle down a bit. Buy ice cream. You don't want to leave here at all.
“Verona is a cozy and not pompous province, but it immediately arouses respect,” is the description given to the city by many tourists. Do you want to verify this? Embark on your own journey for a fairy tale, history and legend, and you will want to return there!
Metropolitan Rome is usually called the heart of the history of Italy, and Venice - the city of bridges and canals. Verona is spoken about all over the world as a city of romance and great love. Naturally, William Shakespeare played an important role in this, immortalizing this city as the home of Romeo with his beloved Juliet. However, Verona is rich not only in this: there are many amazing sights, architectural monuments and breathtaking landscapes. To better experience the whole unique atmosphere of Italy, you must definitely visit the main attractions of Verona.
1. Arena di Verona
Arena di Verona is the most famous architectural landmark of Verona. This amphitheater was built in 30 AD by the ancient Romans. This building is 50 years older than the famous Roman Colosseum, but has managed to survive almost completely to this day. It is hard to explain why this pink marble arena proved timeless.
Until now, thousands of spectators gather at the Arena di Verona to see theatrical performances. Many of them agree that "Romeo and Juliet" looks best in Verona in the "native" arena.
Every year, this amphitheater hosts the summer festival of world opera. Stars of the first magnitude gather at the two-century Arena di Verona, and thirty thousand spectators listen to them with pleasure. In winter, the building is empty, and all performances are shown in the indoor concert hall "Ente Lirico Arena".
2. Bra Square
One of the most popular attractions in Verona is Piazza Bra. It also serves the city as a community center. To get here, you need to go through the two arches of the ancient Portoni della Bra, which in former times were the main link of the fortress wall. The Torre Pentagon, located very close by and representing a pentagonal tower, has also been preserved from it.
In the middle of Piazza Bra is a coniferous square, where you can see a bronze statue of Emmanuel II. There is also a monument to the partisan movement in Italy during the Second World War.
The façade of the Palazzo del Gran Guardia and Palazzo Barbieri, now the municipality of Verona, faces the square. Also here are the buildings of the Amphitheater and the church of San Nicolò. Numerous cafes and restaurants in Piazza Bra are almost always full of visitors who enjoy a taste of Italy in such an amazing place.
3. Piazza delle Erbe
In the daytime, this square is more like a market: it is very crowded and sellers aggressively offer their goods to all passers-by. And with the onset of darkness, you can safely walk along the deserted square or look into one of the local cafes.
Translated from Italian, "Piazza delle Erbe" means "grassy square." In its center is a delightful fountain with the Virgin Mary, and on all sides Piazza del Erbe is surrounded by various attractions. Among them, the aedicula of the 13th century, the House of Giudici, the Palazzo del Comune, the House of Merchants and the People's Bank are especially noteworthy.
Also here is the Palazzo Maffei, which amazes all guests of the city with its magnificent view. There are many statues of ancient gods on the building, and a majestic column with the famous winged lion rises right in front of the palace. This is the main symbol of Verona, which is known to everyone far beyond Italy. Another interesting attraction is the Lamberti Tower, which reaches a height of 83 meters.
4. San Zeno Maggiore
When visiting the sights of Verona, be sure to pay attention to the church of San Zeno Maggiore, which is the best example of Romanesque basilicas. The patron of the city, who was its first bishop, is buried here. The remains of the saint today rest in the crypt of this building, carefully preserved in a crystal reliquary.
The building has managed to survive to this day, thanks to several renovations in the 12th and 14th centuries. The final renovation was carried out in early 1993, and now the Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore has become one of the main architectural monuments of Verona. Volcanic tuff interspersed with marble is very interestingly combined with the bas-relief decoration, made on the theme of the Apocalypse. The entrance to the basilica is adorned with a Gothic portal by the master Nicolò, also known for his work on the Verona Cathedral. The portico of the basilica is decorated with amazing sculptures of 12 months, John the Baptist, and its columns rest on lions tearing their prey. It is worth paying attention to the gates of San Zeno Maggiore, which are lined with biblical bronze panels from a thousand years ago.
The interior of the church also looks luxurious, so you must definitely get inside the basilica. In addition to the relics of St. Zenon, there is the famous triptych of Mantegna, a carved stone altar, a marble font and much more.
5. Castelvecchio
The next place that we recommend visiting in Verona for every tourist is the ancient castle of Castelvecchio, which is included in the UNESCO list. It was erected by the Scaliger dynasty back in the 14th century and was the main link in the city's fortress wall. Initially, the castle was called San Martino al Ponte, after the name of a small church located nearby.
Castelvecchio played a different role during its existence: it reliably defended Verona during the reign of the tyrant Kangrad II, was the residence of Napoleon and the garrison for the Austrian army. The whole amazing history of this building can be found today within its walls. A historical museum is open here with many sculptures, paintings and various exhibits related to the temporary eras of the castle's life. And the guides are happy to tell visitors about all the details.
In addition to its history, this Verona attraction also carries aesthetic interest. Together with the Scaliger Bridge, which connects the castle with the Left Bank of Verona, they create a unique ensemble of medieval architecture. Both buildings are made in the Romanesque style with sharp battlements and loopholes.
6. Garden Giusti
Silence and complete tranquility in Verona can certainly be found in the Giusti Palace and Garden, which are located on the east coast of the Adige. Having been here, the words of the famous traveler Thomas Coryat from England, who called Giusti "the second earthly paradise", become clear.
Giardino Giusti welcomes his guests with obelisks and graceful gates. A beautiful alley runs through the entire park complex, decorated with statues, fountains, huge trees and green labyrinths. From the terraces of the garden offers an amazing panorama of Verona. Here you can just sit on a bench and enjoy complete privacy. If you are in Verona, be sure to visit this place.
7. Lamberti Tower
This landmark of Verona is located directly on Piazza Delle Erbe, on the northeast side. It will be extremely difficult to miss it, since the height of the Lamberti tower reaches 84 meters! Today it adjoins the building of the House of the Commune, but originally it was an independent building serving as a home for an entire Veronese family. The tower began to serve the needs of the city much later.
The history of this building dates back to the 12th century, when the prestige of a family was measured in Verona by the height of the house, as well as its location in the city. The Lamberti family in those days was considered one of the most powerful, so they decided to build themselves a tower to match. The site chosen for the construction site is adjacent to the city's Grand Square (the old name of the current Piazza Delle Erbe). Construction began in the spring of 1172 and was completed three years later.
After 45 years, the construction of the House of the Commune began around the Lamberti tower and it became part of this building. It was repeatedly repaired and some details were added, but the original style was still preserved. The last restoration was carried out in the fall of 2007 and now tourists can visit the Painting Gallery here. Climbing up 368 steps, you will find yourself in the chapel at the top of the tower, which will offer amazing views of Verona.
8. Church of St. Anastasia
The Basilica of Santa Anastasia is considered the largest church in Verona. It is located near Ponte Pietra and is very popular among locals and visitors. Few people know that this temple has a completely different name, since its consecration was in honor of St. Peter. The basilica was built on the site of the old church of Anastasia the Destroyer of Patterns, so the townspeople continued to call her by her old name. Over time, this name stuck.
The exterior of the attraction is made in a strict Gothic style. A simple window rosette remained unfinished, but over time a high bell tower with a sharp spire was added to the apse. The interior decoration amazes those who enter with its luxury: there are many amazing statues, marble columns, frescoes and carved ornaments. The main altar, decorated with frescoes "Renaissance" and "Last Judgment", stands out in particular.
9. Ponte Pietra
In Verona, Italy, there is the only arched bridge that was built in the 1st century. Ponte Pietra ("Stone Bridge") connected the banks of the Adige in 90. Initially, ancient Roman architects built it in the form of 5 spans of pure marble, made in the form of arches. Ponte Pietra is approximately 120 meters long and almost 4 meters wide.
Over time, the bridge was repeatedly repaired and other materials were added. So Ponte Postumio ("Marble Bridge") got its modern name. During the Nazi occupation, the bridge was blown up and completely destroyed. Until the end of the war, his remains rested at the bottom of the Adige.
The reconstruction of Ponte Pietra was carried out on the basis of surviving photographs, so it was possible to almost completely preserve its original appearance. Part of the bridge was taken from the bottom of the river, and the rest was laid out with red brick. The original look of the new Ponte Pietra has become its highlight and today it is one of the best attractions in Verona. Adds interest to the bridge and many closely located ancient buildings: the Roman Theater, the temple of St. Stephen and the monastery of San Girolamo.
10. Juliet's house
Every year, thousands of romantics come to Verona from all over the world to see with their own eyes the legendary balcony, standing on which Juliet listened to the passionate confessions of her beloved Romeo. William Shakespeare immortalized this scene from his play in the hearts of millions of people, past and future generations.
