When William Shakespeare chose Verona as the setting for the best-known love story of all time, he could not have imagined that the city would become a pilgrimage destination for those in love with love, for those convinced of the romantic destination, for the unconditional of the tragic meaning of life.
However, this small town located near Venice has many more charms than the balcony where, presumably, the two lovers declared their eternal admiration. Verona is much more than Romeo and Juliet, although, obviously, a visit to the town cannot miss the star place.
The play Romeo and Juliet explains the tragic love story of both young people, members of two historically rival families: the Capulet and the Montague. By an irony of fate, the two children of the families meet and fall madly in love. The relationship is not approved by the families, a fact that precipitates the tragic ending.
One of the most famous scenes in the play is the conversation between the lovers, Juliet from her balcony and Romeo in the street. That balcony is today an eternal refuge for thousands and thousands of tourists who come to it as if they were going to find the elixir of true love (although, spoiler alert, the balcony was built in the 20th century for purely tourist reasons). Moved by the popularity of another novel, they hook padlocks on the nearby fence that promise eternal love with the key thrown at the bottom of the river. Others take photos with their faces in ecstasy, and more than one dress up for the occasion dressed as if they were a character from Shakespeare.
When you open the iron door that gives access to Juliet’s house, there is a corridor full of messages of love and heartbreak written by the thousands of visitors who come there from all over the world. They are notes, often post-its, that are removed twice a year, on February 14 and September 17 (Juliet’s birthday), to make room for new visitors. But the notes are not destroyed: the City Council keeps them and is thinking of creating a museum where they are exhibited.
The most curious thing is that, listening to the conversations in different languages ​​that take place under the balcony, many of those who go there are convinced that Romeo and Juliet really existed, and that Shakespeare wrote a play based on their love story. But, you know, love is blind and forgives everything. And whoever wants to make sure even more, he has a bronze sculpture that represents the young woman in love right there. According to tradition, touching the statue’s right breast brings good luck and true love. What more could you want?
The so-called Juliet’s house, with its famous balcony, dates back to the 12th century and was owned by the Cappello family, whose coat of arms is carved on the inner arch of the courtyard. It is one more of the manor houses that can be admired through the narrow streets of the old town.
The city, with a history of the Roman Empire, is a reflection of its splendor in the Middle Ages. In the 12th century it was a free commune ruled by an alliance of clergy, aristocrats and wealthy merchants. It became the papal seat and followed a period of great prosperity, ruled by the Scaligeri family. At that time, churches, castles and palaces were built where, for example, Dante, Petrarch and Giotto stayed. In 1405 he joined the Serene Republic of Venice. All this turned the city into an artistic, historical and cultural complex of great beauty and elegance.
The Verona Arena is one of the must-see sites in the city. In fact, its solid and imposing structure occupies a star place in the urban configuration of the place, perfectly integrated into the daily life of the 21st century. This first-century Roman amphitheater could hold up to 30,000 spectators and hosted gladiator shows. Its name comes from the sand that stretched in the area where the shows were held.
Currently, the Arena offers guided tours and hosts a multitude of cultural events, from rock concerts to opera and theater festivals. It is an unforgettable experience and also allows us to see once again how Italians have the consumption of culture as one of the basics in their shopping basket to have a pleasant life.
The Roman theater is an open-air theater that also dates from the 1st century BC. It is one of the best preserved in northern Italy, houses the city’s archaeological museum, and offers a theater space where theater festivals are also organized.
The Castelvecchio fortress was built to protect the city from enemy attacks, and today houses a museum full of works of art, including works by Mantegna, Rubens and Bellini.
Brà Square, at the foot of the Arena and dominated by various facades of historic mansions, is one of the largest in Europe and, without a doubt, one of the most lively. Dominated by the lath, the pink marble pavement floor, it is one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city. On its terraces, people gather, watch and be seen, wear their elegant but informal finery, and laugh around an Aperol.
An aperitif and good food are here, as in many other Italian cities, an obligation. Visitors can try Veronese specialities, such as polenta, meat risotto or tortellini di Valeggio.
The entire historic center is full of charming streets, majestic palaces and evocative corners. The Sorrotiva road and the Pescheria square stand out, with the structure from which river fish were historically distributed for the market. The Scaligero bridge allows you to cross the river and see the city from another perspective.
Another perspective, this time from above, is given by the Lamberti tower, 84 meters high, which you can climb. At the top there are two bells: the Marangona and the Lame. The first was used to mark the working hours of the marangoni or carpenters and the rest of the artisans; the second was used to call the citizens to arms to defend the city from a possible attack.
The tower rises in Piazza delle Erbe, a former Roman forum that still houses the city’s fruit and vegetable market. Some of the most important buildings in Verona rise up in this monumental square, such as the House of Merchants or the Mazzati houses, with façades covered in frescoes. The Arch of the Coast connects Piazza dell Erbe with Piazza dei Signori, full of palaces and with a statue dedicated to Dante, who was exiled to Verona.
By the way, if the visitor wants to say goodbye to Verona, saying goodbye to its illustrious inhabitant, they can go to Juliet’s tomb, in the convent of San Francisco del Corso, located (of course?) on via Shakespeare, 1 There, in a cell within a dark crypt, among the tombs of the monks, rests an open and empty red marble sarcophagus known as Juliet’s tomb. Everything is to feed the legend.
