The
best-preserved Roman amphitheater in the world and the best
known in Italy after Rome's Colosseum, the elliptical Arena
was built in a slightly pinkish marble around the year A.D.
100 and stands in the very middle of town with the Piazza Brà
on its southern flank. Built to accommodate more than 20,000
people, beloved testimony to the pride and wealth of Verona
and its populace.
Its acoustics (astoundingly good for an open-air venue) have
survived the millennia and make it one of the wonders of the
ancient world and one of the most fascinating venues for live
performances today, conducted without microphones. If you're
in town during the summer opera performances in July and August,
do everything possible to procure a ticket for any of the outdoor
evening performances. Even opera-challenged audience members
will take home the memory of a lifetime. Other events, such
as orchestral concerts, are also staged here whenever the weather
permits. For more information.
Juliet's House
Casa di Giulietta. There is
no proof that a Capuleti (Capulet) family ever
lived here (or if they did, that a young girl named
Juliet ever existed), and it wasn't until 1905 that
the city bought what was an abandoned, overgrown garden
and decided its future. Rumor is, this was once actually
a whorehouse.
Giardino Giusti. The terraced
Giardino Giusti are considered to be one of the finest
late-Renaissance gardens in Italy. Created at the end
of the 15th century as a backdrop to the Guisti Palace,
home to Agostino Giusti, knight of the Venetial Republic
and Squire of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Enter fee Euro
4,50
Via Giardini Giusti 2, Verona 37129
Tel: 39 0458034029
Teatro Romano. Roman Theatre was built
in the second half of the 1st century B.C., however,
it disappeared because of succesive constructions. Set
against the green tufa hills, on the top of which is
situated the Monastery of St. Jerome, the theatre looks
very impressivly. At its eastern side there is the lovely
ancient church of Saints Sirius and Libera, built in
the 10th century.
Castelvecchio. A 5-minute walk west of
the Arena amphitheater on the Via Roma and nestled on
the banks of the swift-flowing Adige River, the "Old
Castle" is a crenellated fairy-tale pile of brick
towers and turrets, protecting the bridge behind it.
It was commissioned in 1354 by the Scaligeri warlord
Cangrande II to serve the dual role of residential palace
and military stronghold. It survived centuries of occupation
by the Visconti family, the Serene Republic of Venice,
and then Napoléon, only to be destroyed by the
Germans during World War II bombing. Its painstaking
restoration was initiated in 1958 and it reopened in
1964. It is now a fascinating home to some 400 works
of art.
Admission 3.10€ ($3.55). Free 1st Sun of each
month
Corso Castelvecchio 2, Verona
Tel: +39 045-594-734, 045-800-5817
best-preserved Roman amphitheater in the world and the best
known in Italy after Rome's Colosseum, the elliptical Arena
was built in a slightly pinkish marble around the year A.D.
100 and stands in the very middle of town with the Piazza Brà
on its southern flank. Built to accommodate more than 20,000
people, beloved testimony to the pride and wealth of Verona
and its populace.
Casa di Giulietta. There is
no proof that a Capuleti (Capulet) family ever
lived here (or if they did, that a young girl named
Juliet ever existed), and it wasn't until 1905 that
the city bought what was an abandoned, overgrown garden
and decided its future. Rumor is, this was once actually
a whorehouse.
Giardino Giusti. The terraced
Giardino Giusti are considered to be one of the finest
late-Renaissance gardens in Italy. Created at the end
of the 15th century as a backdrop to the Guisti Palace,
home to Agostino Giusti, knight of the Venetial Republic
and Squire of the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Enter fee Euro
4,50
Teatro Romano. Roman Theatre was built
in the second half of the 1st century B.C., however,
it disappeared because of succesive constructions. Set
against the green tufa hills, on the top of which is
situated the Monastery of St. Jerome, the theatre looks
very impressivly. At its eastern side there is the lovely
ancient church of Saints Sirius and Libera, built in
the 10th century. 
Castelvecchio. A 5-minute walk west of
the Arena amphitheater on the Via Roma and nestled on
the banks of the swift-flowing Adige River, the "Old
Castle" is a crenellated fairy-tale pile of brick
towers and turrets, protecting the bridge behind it.
It was commissioned in 1354 by the Scaligeri warlord
Cangrande II to serve the dual role of residential palace
and military stronghold. It survived centuries of occupation
by the Visconti family, the Serene Republic of Venice,
and then Napoléon, only to be destroyed by the
Germans during World War II bombing. Its painstaking
restoration was initiated in 1958 and it reopened in
1964. It is now a fascinating home to some 400 works
of art.