Two days in Verona - the world of Romeo and Juliet

“Two households, both alike in dignity
in fair Verona, where we lay our scene
from ancient grudge break to new mutiny
where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
a pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life
whose misadventured piteous overthrows
do with their death bury their parents' strife.” - William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

Shakespeare's tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet, which was set in Verona, makes the city a favorite destination for lovers and love seekers, but it actually offers much more than just that.

Verona is one of those cities where you sink in deep waters, but you don't want to get out, you don't want to leave. You want to keep sipping and sinking deeper into its charm and its magic. A trip to Verona is a journey through time, an encounter with emotions of anciant times, Renaissance magnificence and modern delight for all human senses. It's hard to put into words how it feels to smell a freshly made pesto on a hot pizza, just brought out of the oven, or to relax in some of the Erbe square's bars with a glass of spritz in hands.

Два дни във Верона определено не са достатъчни да бъдат разгледани всички забележителности и красиви кътчета на града, но стигат за прекрасна разходка из средновековния му дух. За това време успяхме да се отпуснем и да усетим топлината, с която той посреща своите туристи.

Verona is a city in northeastern Italy, located in the region of Veneto - extremely fertile and famous for production of quality Italian wine. Because of the location, the city is a center of Europe's national and international road network. It has been an important commercial center, with well-developed industry and rich agricultural production eversince its creation hundreds of eras ago.

Забележителности

Apperantly, the most famous sights are concentrated in the ancient part of the city and are within walking distance from each other. Despite the narrow streets, which are actually typical for whole Italy, it is almost impossible to get lost around. The high bell towers of the large churches appear to be a very good guide.

Ние бяхме резервирали апартамент за две нощувки и общо три дни, но един от дните пътувахме до Маранело. Там мъжът ми успя да сбъдне една своя мечта – да посети Ferrari World и да кара Ferrari из пистите в градчето. Това беше наистина готино изживяване, но ще се постарая да разкажа за него в отделен пост. Двата дни във Верона бяха наситени с топлина и романтика. Градчето е невероятно красиво и съвсем спокойно се разглежда и без предварителен стриктен план.

The apartment was like a 15 minute walk from the old town. We had to cross the Garibaldi bridge to get there. The first place we headed to was Erbe Square.

Erbe Square (Piazza delle Erbe)

This is the oldest square in the city. Its name means market square. During the times of the Roman Empire, it was the location of the great city forum, selling spices and vegetables. Nowadays, during the day, the square turns into a market for souvenirs, goods and locally produced food, but it's actually much more than that. It is a colorful collage, home of palaces, towers, statues and unique architectural elements, bearing the spirit of different eras. Maffei Palace, Gardello Tower, Lamberti Tower and Mazzanti family's house are some of the most emblematic buildings surrounding the square.

Erbe Square is the center of the economic, religious and social life of the locals. At sunset, the bars and restaurants around the square are overflowing, the place becomes crowded with people out for talks and drinks.

A monument is located in the heart of the square. Called Madonna di Veronait was built in 14th century. It is a sculpture of a princess with a Roman body but a medieval head and hands. The statue represents the city itself and is placed on a stand picturing the sovereigns of Verona - historical and legendary. Interestingly, the entire fountain was assembled with parts from totally different origins.

The most distinctive feature of the square, which is visible from almost every point of the city, is Lamberti tower, with a height of 84 meters. This makes it the tallest ever building in the city. The tower offers an incredible 360-degree panoramic tour, with the top accessible both by stairs and a small elevator. The view from the top is amazing!

For lovers of archeological excavations, the city also offers an underground tour, which would probably be quite interesting, if you had more time.

Signori Square (Lord's square)

The square of Lords is located next to Erbe square. Its foundation began in the Middle Ages and was gradually shaped as a square by the palaces built around it. The first building appeared at the end of the 12th century and it was the Palazzo della Ragione, followed by the Palazzo del Capitanio and the Palazzo del Podesta (between the 13th and 14th centuries) – both built by the powerful family of the Scala family (Della Scala), called the lords of Verona.

At its beginning, the square had political and administrative functions and had become the most important place in the city during the Venetian rule. In 1865, the statue of the famous Italian poet Dante Alighieri was built in the center of the square.

House of Juliet

The house of the Capulet family - Juliet's family, is considered one of the most visited sights in the whole Italy. This is the first thing that comes to one's mind when mentioning the city of Romeo and Juliet. The house with the legendary balcony on which she stands, and under it he reveals his feelings. It is like a magnet for visitors of the city. What woman doesn't want to stand there for a moment, even though it would be for a single photo?

There is a bronze statue of Juliet, placed in the courtyard and it is believed that whoever touched it would have become hapily inlove. Due to the huge tourist flow and a possible danger of damage, the original onstatue was kept into the house-museum, and they put a replica back in the courtyard. But despite this, the crowds of tourists waiting to touch it are still huge. The house is on two floors and there you can see: the ballroom where the two lovers met for the first time, Juliet's bedroom, the original costumes worn by the actors in the "Romeo and Juliet" movie from 1968.

Romeo's house

The house of the Montagues, Romeo's family, is very close to Juliet's one. Legend says that when Romeo left his home, he almost immediately reached the fateful balcony, where Juliet was waiting for him impatiently. The Montagues are believed to have been a powerful and wealthy family from Verona, and their house is the grandest and relatively well-preserved of all the typical medieval ones, . It is not open to visitors from the inside, though. But even you only look at it from the outside and walk the shortest way that Romeo is believed to have run each evening, it is enough to feel the magic of this mystical forbidden love.

Bra square and Arena di Verona

Our walk took us to Bra square or the Broad Square. It had been defined as a square in the middle of the 16th century. The entire asphalting of the section was completed in 1782 and this has made it the preferred place for social intercourse, rather than Lords' Square. In ancient times, a market for wood, hay, straw and cattle had been held on site. The tradition still remains and nowadays in December 11th to 13th Bra Square is home of the St. Lucy's Fair. During our walk, there was a marathon going on in the city and this square was the start and finish point of the course and it was overcrowded with runners, spectators and tourists like us.

The Arena of Verona (Arena di Verona) is a Roman amphitheater, the most famous cultural monument of Verona and an iconic symbol of the city, just like the Colosseum in Rome. It is located on Bra Square, in the historical center of the city. It gathers more than 20 centuries of history, but at the same time it is one of the best-preserved amphitheatres in the world, thanks to many systematic restorations been done since the 16th century. Today, this outstanding cultural monument hosts the Opera Festival, where every year famous singers and orchestras appear on stage, providing the audience with an unforgettable experience. Concerts and theater productions are constantly performed, which keeps the cultural and social life of the city at a high level.

Porta Nuova

If you travelled by train to Verona and arrive at Porta Nuova station, the monument that remains of the original gate would be your first meeting with the Middle Ages. Porta Nuova served as a fortification and it was the main entrance to the historic city from its southern side. Nowadays, it marks the beginning of the main entrance road of the city - Corso Porta Nuova, which leads to Piazza Bra and the Arena of Verona - the southern entrance to the ancient city.

The beauty of Veronese churches

There are over 40 churches in the old part and outskirts of Verona, which is a colossal number for a city of its size. Four of them are emblematic and important for the historical and cultural heritage.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Matricuare (Duomo di Verona)

The Cathedral of Verona is in the northern part of the old city, near the ancient bridge Ponte Pietra. In fact, it could rather be called a cathedral complex, since apart from the main building, it includes several smaller churches and chapels, built in different periods. In the Church of St. Helena (Sant'Elena) there are remains of the first church building from the 4th century. On its site was built the current cathedral. The way it looks today dates back to the early 16th century. At that time, the bell tower was originally 30 m tall, but at the beginning of the 20th century it was extended to the current height of 73 m.

The closest bus station is Piazza Duomo. Busses 70, 96 and 97.

Saint Anastasia church

If you head east from Piazza Erbe along Corso Sant'Anastasia, an elegant street lined up with antique shops, it would take you to an extremely beautiful church, covered in Verona's characteristic red marble. It is surrounded by huge columns and beautiful monuments. It is the largest church in the city. The bell tower is 72m high. The interior is also quite impressive - rich in architectural elements and works of art. It is located near the riverside with an incredible view of the hill and San Pietro Palace.

The nearest bus stop is Via Massalongo 5/C and is about a hundred meters from the church. Buses 70, 96 and 97.

Basilic of San Zeno Maggiore

Малко по-отдалечена от центъра, но все пак на пешеходно разстояние по поречието на река Адидже се намира Сан Зено Маджоре. До там отидохме сутринта на последния ден от престоя. Разходката беше изключително красива, поречието на река Адидже е вдъхновяващо.

Сан Зено е осмият поред епископ на Верона, а базиликата, носеща неговото име е един от шедьоврите на римското изкуство. Смята се, че първоначално е построена през 9-ти век, след което е била реставрирана и разширявана през 13-ти и 14-ти век. Кулата-камбанария датира от 11-ти век. Отличителен белег на базиликата е и розовият прозорец, известен още като „Колелото на съдбата“, който е украсен с шест статуи, изобразяващи редуващите се фази от човешкия живот. Интересна е и дървената порта, облицована с 48 скъпоценни бронзови квадратни форми със сцени от Стария и Новия завет и чудото на светията Сан Дзено.

Closest bus station is Via Da Vico 14 III. Busses 30, 31 and 91.

Saint Fermo

The fourth church, which we culdn't unfortunately make it to, but is worth seeing, is San Fermo Maggiore. The closest major landmark to it is the Arena of Verona, so they could be visited one after another.

Castelvecchio castle and Scaligero bridge

Castelvecchio (Old castle) is a medieval castle located in the historic center of Verona on the banks of the Adige River. Nowadays, it is not functioning as a castle, but it houses a historical museum. The castle is the most important military construction of the Scaliger dynasty, which ruled the city during the Middle Ages. The building was supposed to be a castle and a fortress with a bridge over the river, allowing easy escape from the city in case of danger. The wide inner courtyard was a training ground for the soldiers, and today it is the main entrance to the museum. It is surrounded by three tall towers, with clear visibility to all directions. The bridge stretches over a section of the Adige River, which is 120m wide. It is a historical architectural masterpiece, construted in the 13th century.

The Arch of Gavi

Arco dei Gavi is a cultural monument built in 1st century AD in honor of the Gavia family - an important family during the time of the Roman Empire. During all different eras and dominions, its purpose had changed – it had been the main entrance to the city, decades later it had become part of the defensive wall of Castelvecchio. Today it is a testimony of the centuries-old history of the city and one of the oldest monuments.

Porta Borsari

During the Roman Empire, the main entrance to the city of Verona, coming from the ancient road Via Postumia, was Porta Borsari. It was built in the 1st century AD, but the original gate is believed to date back to the 1st century BC. Now Porta Borsari is the beginning of a long pedestrian zone through the narrow cobbled streets of the ancient city, with many shops, bars, restaurants and gelaterias.

Palace Pietro Castle with remarkable landscapes over the city

Undoubtedly, this is the place with the most astonishing views of ancient Verona. Built on a hill above the river, the palace offers a panoramic platform opening incredible landscapes of the city. The place for its construction was strategically chosen to exercise control over the surrounding lands. The original palace was built in the 14th century and existed for almost 400 years, but was revived by French troops in 1801. Fifty years later, the Austrians built a fortress on the site, serving as their barracks. Currently, tourists are only allowed to visit the yard parts and to enjoy the breathtaking views.

If you preferred to walk to the palace, from the old town you would cross the ancient bridge Ponte Pietra (seen in the 3rd and 4th photos). The top of the hill can be reached by stairs or an elevator. We went directly by car as this was our last stop in this wonderful city.

It was time to head back home, but before that we had a day trip and an overnight stay in Croatia's capital, Zagreb. We left Verona with full eyes and souls. The time spent there was incredibly inspiring, relaxing, we were in like another era.

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Historical facts:

https://www.visitverona.it/en
https://www.italyscapes.com/places/veneto/verona/
https://verona.com/en/verona/
https://www.arena.it/en/arena-di-verona/history