Verona City Guide
Verona is rich in Roman history, much of which still stands today in the form of Roman arches and the amazing amphitheatre. As one of the regions surrounding beautiful Lake Garda, for those who tire of sightseeing, relaxing by the lake is an appealing alternative.
What to do and see in and around Verona
The Arena
Dating back to the 1st century AD this stunning Roman amphitheatre, once an arena for gladiatorial combat, is still used today as an opera venue due to its outstanding acoustics. It is amazing to think that a popular venue in the reign of Emperor Augustus is even more popular today.
Juliet’s House and Statue
Verona is inextricably linked with tragic love through Shakespeare’s pen. To better acquaint yourself with the Montagues and the Capulets visit The Capulet House or ‘Juliet’s House’ which belonged to the Dal Cappello family during the thirteenth century. The house contains furnishings, paintings and frescoes from the 1500-1600. You can even see the star crossed lover herself, as a bronze statue of Juliet stands in the courtyard close to the balcony.
Ponte Pietra
Another magnificent piece of architecture by the Romans is the Ponte Pietra, the stone arch bridge that crossed the River Adige in Verona and dates back to 100 BC.
Arco dei Gavi
Arco dei Gavi provides a wonderful insight into Veronese life in the 1st century AD, when it was built in honour of the respected Gavi Family. The arch originally spanned the main street, Via Postumia, but was rebuilt alongside Castelvecchio in the 1930s after it was damaged during a period of French Rule in the early 1800s.
Porta dei Borsari
These two 1st century AD limestone arches are the remainder of the entrance to Roman Verona on Via Postumia. The name Borsari is actually left over from the Middle Ages, when the arches where the home to the bursars who collected duties from the Veronese population.
Porta Leoni
Porta Leoni or Lions Gate is another Roman gate that has stood the test of time. Originally part of the Roman City Gate, Porta Leoni, named after a sarcophagus lid bearing two lions dates back to 1st century BC. The lions themselves can now be found in nearby gardens.
Piazza Erbe
During the Roman Empire Piazza Erbe was the Forum of Verona, it served as the epicentre of the city, the market place, the meeting place and the administration centre. Nowadays it is a charming square containing the attractive “Madonna Verona” fountain and the panoramic Lamberti Tower amongst others.
Lake Garda
Formed by glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age, Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy and provides swimming, watersports and sunbathing for the inhabitants of Verona, Brescia and the Trentino region.
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