City tour of Verona:
Nestled on the banks of the Adige River, the city of Verona has always been attractive to travelers. The Romans constantly tried to occupy it, and they succeeded in 89 BC. To this day, there are places in Verona where the traces of a powerful nation living in the city are particularly visible. Initially, the Romano family dominated here, then power passed to the della Scala family, whose representatives made a huge contribution to the development of the city. Since 1387, Verona was under the influence of the Visconti, later – Carrara. Then Verona joined the small empire of Venice. Power passed from one ruler to another, with Napoleon and representatives of Austria marking their presence here, until the city became one of the centers of the Kingdom of Italy in the mid-1800s.
The main architectural pride of the ancient city is the Arena di Verona amphitheater, a local long-liver: the Romans built it over 2000 years ago. Gladiatorial battles once took place here, and today – theatrical performances;
A romantic tour of Verona is impossible without visiting Juliet’s house. The beautiful mansion from the 13th century indeed belonged to the Capello clan – the prototype of the Capulet family. You can leave a note with a cherished wish in the wall of the house or touch the bronze bust of Juliet for good luck. And then head to where the girl found eternal rest: Shakespeare fans believe that her tomb is located in the church on Via del Pontiere;
The most ornate square in Verona is Piazza delle Erbe: here stands the Gothic Merchant’s House, the Baroque Maffei Palace, the Gardello Clock Tower, and the Mazzanti House, decorated with frescoes on mythological themes;
From the Lamberti Tower, a wonderful view opens up, and in the covered pavilion “Berlin,” coronations once took place;
The heart of the Erbe square is the Fountain of the Verona Madonna, built in 1368;
Another magnificent building is the Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore. The luxurious facade made of golden tuff and pink marble impresses from the outside, while inside is the crypt with the body of Saint Zeno in a transparent sarcophagus;
A great place for walks is the Giusti Garden, laid out in the 16th century: you can wander through the medieval labyrinth;
The Scaliger Arches are three fenced tombs of the medieval rulers of Verona from the della Scala family (the representatives of the dynasty are more commonly referred to as Scaligers);
Romeo’s House – belonged to the Nogarola family, then it was confiscated by the ruler Cangrande I della Scala, and after the fall of this ruling dynasty, it returned to its former owners;
The Roman Gates of Borsari – a monument of ancient Roman architecture. Built in the 1st century as a military outpost;
The Gavi Arch – built in the second half of the 1st century by the architect Lucius Vitruvius Cerdon, presumably a student and freedman of Vitruvius, in honor of the Gavia family, the most noble of the Veronese families;
Castelvecchio – The castle was built as a fortification on the banks of the Adige River during the rule of the Scaligers, construction continued from 1354 to 1376.
