Verona also known as Urbs Nobilissima is the second largest city in Italy after Venice. Verona is a thirty minute drive west of Vicenza and about two hours from Aviano. Verona is a designated world heritage site by the UNESCO. Verona is one of the richest and most prosperous cities north of Italy. Don't miss the clean streets, elegantly and richly dressed people, elegant shops and vibrant markets, chic hotels and expensive restaurants which affords unbridled luxury for a price!
Verona is not only famous in history as the Italian city of the ill-fated lovers - Romeo and Juliet made famous by the legendary playwright William Shakespeare, but also well renowned for its artistic heritage which the tourist can savor with delight and indulgence.
Tourist attractions in Verona
The Amphitheater:
It is one of the biggest amphitheaters from the Roman Empire. This is the place where more than 22,000 spectators can watch in one sitting. The place where once cruel gladiator fights shocked the spectators is used nowadays for performing operas in summer months and Nativity scenes during the holiday period.
Churches in Verona:
The biggest church of Verona is Sant'Anastasia which was completed in 1481. A tourist can admire the Pisanello's Saint George and the Princess among other interesting works inside this church.
San Giorgo, the Renaissance church on the riverside in Verona was begun in 1447 over the ruins of a church dedicated to Saint George. The dome of this church was added in the 16th century by Sanmicheli. An interesting work of Veronese, Romanino and Moretto can be seen in this church.
San Zeno which is the finest example of Romanesque architecture in the world was constructed in 1120. This basilica was reconstructed again in the 4th century and second in the 9th century. The building was completed in the 14th century when the Gothic ceiling and the apse were added to this jewel of Verona's heritage. The bell tower and the red tower and the masterpiece "San Zeno's Trhyptic" which is an early Romanesque Mantegna work can be found here. The attached cloister visit should not be missed.
Streets of Verona:
There are several walkways that cater to a variety of tourist tastes - shoppers, strollers, gawker, and climbers. A tourist can take Via Mazzini to get on to the city center where the 'Piazza delle Erbe' sits. Via Mazzini houses some of the famous fashionable shops of Italy. Via Giuseppe Mazzini is a busy street and is a great location with its absence of cars and bikes. This is the main commercial street of Verona. Giuseppe Mazzini begins in Piazza Bra and ends in Piazza delle Erbe, the Grass square.
Incidentally, Piazza delle Erbe is one of the most picturesque squares in Italy and is boasts of a popular and a colorful market. This market was the place during Roman Empire times where the Forum stood. This market, which has many interesting buildings and sculptures, sells fresh fruits and vegetables. Wooden stands selling a variety of produce, crafts and souvenirs fill the square.
The Piazza dei Signori which is not far from Piazza della Erbe is an aristocratic square. The Captain Palace with its sixteenth century facade, the Palazzo Comune with its Renaissance Romanesque modified facade, the Scaligeri Palace from the twelfth century are some of the interesting buildings here.
Monuments of Verona
The Madonna Fountain is a work of Cansignorio, a Roman sculpture and the author of this fountain converted into a Catholic Madonna.
Piazza delle Erbe is described as one of the most beautiful monuments in Verona. In its surroundings is located Tower Lamberti the highest tower in Verona, which is about 83 meters high with its octagonal end holding 'Rengo' and 'Marangona' bells. Palazzo Comune with its neoclassical facade is next to the tower.
The city of Verona has prehistoric origins. Roman ruins from first century exist in this city during which time it was Verona Augusta Colony. This Roman reticular design is still preserved in this city. The Arena, the bridge and the city doors are other preserved Roman Ruins. The Augusta, the Galica and the Postumia are the important Roman roads that converged in Verona.
The Roman Theater was built in the first century and it is a semi circular theater. Near the theater is an Archaeological Museum with some interesting Roman mosaics and sculptures. The stone bridge dates from the times of the Roman emperor Augustus. This bridge which was completely destroyed in 1945 in the Second World War was perfectly reconstructed with original stones soon after.
The bridge Ponte Scaligero is an engineering master piece of the middle age. Its biggest arch is 48 meters long.
The sculpture of Dante and the Loggi del Consiglio building behind are the most beautiful symbols of the Renaissance times in this city of Verona. The tourist can watch the right mixture of Tuscany's elegance and Venoto's values in these structures.
Eating out in Verona
You can find many restaurants along the main walking routes in Verona. A tourist can take a table outdoors Piazza Bra or Piazze Erbe or grab a snack in a neighborhood restaurant. Best gelati in Italy can be had even in a nondescript shop on Via Roma in Verona.
The present day Verona houses language, medicine and economic universities and can be seen as a cultural and university center. A tourist can either window shop in the busy squares or manage to fork out some extra euros in this cosmopolitan city's elite clothing shops...Verona throws both the options open for its visitors.
