Verona
What to do
Verona is one of Italy’s most beautiful and ancient cities. Its geographical location places it next to Lake Garda, delicately nestled at the foot of the Venetian Pre-Alps and on the banks of the Adige River. The city is rich in beauty, numerous historical, cultural and artistic relics are gathered among alleys and squares of irresistible charm.
VERONA ARENA
An iconic symbol of the city, the Arena of Verona is an imposing amphitheatre dating back to the beginning of the 1st century A.D. The building was constructed by the Romans and once hosted various types of spectacles, from gladiator fights to fierce animal hunts. Standing 31 metres high and seating 30,000 people, the amphitheatre dominates the centre of Piazza Bra, offering visitors a unique entertainment experience. Surrounded by its magnificent beauty and history, the arena becomes a stage for shows and concerts. The location is known for the Opera Festival, an event that began in 1913 with the first performance of Verdi’s Aida, and today a historic event of opera music held during the summer months.
BASILICA OF SAN ZENO MAGGIORE
The Basilica of San Zeno is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture extant in Italy. Consecrated in 807 the building houses the relics of Verona’s patron saint, San Zeno. The façade, with its perfect architectural lines, is harmonious and intensely chromatic, decorated in a sober manner and immediately stands out to the visitor’s eyes the large rose window that stands out over the entrance to the cathedral. The building is divided into three levels: the plebian church, the crypt, where the remains of St. Zeno are kept, and the presbyterian church. Among the masterpieces preserved inside the Basilica is an artistic gem by Andrea Mantegna, the famous triptych of San Zeno.
JULIET’S HOUSE MUSEUM
Juliet’s House Museum is one of the most famous and visited places in the city of Verona. The house, a short distance from the central Piazza delle Erbe, is housed in a medieval palace where the Dal Cappello family once resided. Legends and popular beliefs identify it as the birthplace of Juliet, the protagonist together with her beloved Romeo, of the very famous Shakespearean tragedy. Over the centuries the house has become one of the symbolic places of love, a daily destination for hundreds of visitors from all over the world, who want to pay homage to the noble sentiment of love. The walls are covered with love notes, lovers’ signatures and phrases, and from this quaint passage leads to a courtyard where you can admire the famous balcon.