Ponte Castelvecchio, also known as Ponte della Scala (aka Scaliger Bridge), is one of Verona's bridges on the Adige River and part of the Castelvecchio fortress, considered the largest and most impressive structure of medieval Verona. The castle was built by order of the Signor of Verona Cangrande II della Scala in the middle of the XIV century and was intended to protect against enemy attacks. The bridge across the river, which today bears the name of one of the most influential dynasties in the history of Verona, was a kind of "emergency passage" for the possible escape of the ruler in the event of an uprising of the population.
Scaliger bridge: history
The inaccessible Scaliger Bridge in Verona was built between 1354 and 56 and was used for military purposes until 1870, when it was opened to pedestrians. For almost five centuries of history, this bridge stood untouched until the French entered Verona. They shortened the watchtowers, removed the merlon (battlements) from the bridge, and installed cannon batteries. The Merlon was reconstructed by the Austrians in 1820 by order of Emperor Franz I.
On April 24, 1945, the Scaliger Bridge was blown up by the Germans like all other river crossings in Verona. After the end of the war, this building, along with the rest of the architectural monuments, was completely restored. The Scaliger Bridge today looks exactly the same as in the Middle Ages. The reconstruction was entrusted to the engineer Alberto Minghetti, who worked on the technical part of the project, and the architect Libero Cecchini, who took care of its artistic appearance.
Work on the implementation of the project began at the end of 1945 with the removal of the remains of the damaged structure from the Adige River. Some parts of the old bridge were used in the construction of the new one; many of the surviving parts were placed in their original place. In addition, the researchers established the territorial origin of the material used in the construction of the medieval bridge (the town of San Giorgio di Valpolicella), from where the building material for the new Verona bridge was delivered. The restoration of Ponte Castelvecchio was completed in 1951.
Verona is an amazing city located close to Venice and Milan. It is filled with sights and architectural monuments, like a magnet, attracts travelers from different parts of the world. The beauty of natural landscapes and medieval buildings makes the heart beat faster every time, and after parting with the city, come back here again and again.
What to see in Verona on your own?
Beautiful places and main attractions: photos with descriptions in Russian.
Juliet's house in Verona
Juliet's house is a small brick house in which, according to legend, the young heroine of the famous Shakespearean tragedy lived. The most interesting place in this house is the courtyard with a balcony, where Romeo confessed his love to Juliet. A bronze statue of Juliet is located near this famous balcony. It is believed that touching the right breast of Shakespeare's heroine will bring happiness and good luck. In addition, among tourists there is another belief, according to which, lovers who kissed under Juliet's balcony will never part. Therefore, it is not difficult to imagine what is happening there, considering that this place is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year! While in this place, you can taste the extraordinary love story that Shakespeare showed us in his work!
Arena di Verona
The Arena di Verona is a huge amphitheater, which has been preserved in its finest and amazing condition to this day. This is amazing since it has survived world wars, earthquakes and floods. And sometimes it simply does not fit in my head how it is possible to build and preserve this creation without any supreme help. Now, as before, theatrical performances and operas are held here. It is believed that the best productions of Romeo and Juliet take place here. Many of the world's voices come to perform on the millennial stage and thousands of tourists to watch.
Castelvecchio castle
Castelvecchio Castle was built in the 8th century as a defensive fortress. It has Gothic architecture and, by the way, is very similar to the Moscow Kremlin. This castle looks, as they say, very stern and angry. But at the same time, it is a strong and aesthetic building. After all, the bridge in this castle stood without reconstruction, attention, more than 500 years! The castle itself contains a large collection of paintings and sculptures and ancient weapons of various masters of the Middle Ages.
Giusti's garden
It is here, in the Giusti Garden, that an oasis of peace and quiet reigns. And it is here that you can escape from the dusty streets, from the noisy city, from the fleeting rhythm of life. There you can just stop and breathe in this fresh air of tranquility and understand how beautiful this world is. To understand that there are places in this world where you can forget about everything. This park complex is decorated with fountains and statues. A wonderful alley with tall trees stretches from the most front gate. There are also terraces on the upper and lower levels, which offer amazing views of Verona. The warm air will make you feel the atmosphere of those times when Emperor Joseph II, Goethe and Mozart walked in this park.
Palazzo Maffei
One of the many palaces in the city, built in the 15th century in the Baroque style. The building is decorated with statues of ancient Roman gods, semi-columns and balconies. Inside the building is now a hotel, the old interior of which allows guests to feel the atmosphere of antiquity. Next to the palace, the Gardello tower with a clock is erected, which is more ancient than the Palazzo Maffei, which has been reconstructed more than once.
Lamberti tower
This building, located in Place Erbe, was built in the 12th century and was originally lower than in our time. Years later, its height reached 84 meters, and now it is the tallest structure in the city. Co observation deck offers a stunning view of Verona. The architecture of the tower has retained the imprint of those eras during which it existed; at its top there are bells, one of which is over 4 tons in size - this is the second largest bell in Verona.
Verona Cathedral
The main cathedral of Verona, created in the 12th century, is an amazingly beautiful architectural monument dominated by two styles: Romanesque - with outside, gothic - inside the cathedral. In the building itself you can see ancient works of art of great value. The cathedral's bell tower houses the oldest bell in the city.
Arch of Gavi
This historic building, owned by the noble Verona family Gavi, was erected by the hand of the architect Lucius Vitruvius Cerdon in the 1st century. n. e. In 1932, the monument was reconstructed, before which the arch changed its location more than once. Decorated with columns, an exquisite plant-shaped pattern, and statues that were later lost, the Gavi Arch served as a model for a classical antique structure in the creation of other architectural monuments.
House of merchants
Domus Mercatorum, or the House of Merchants, is an old building in the Gothic style, which retains traces of the Middle Ages and has been changed more than once by human hands; it is located in Piazza delle Erbe. Until the 14th century, it was made of wood, and then its walls were rebuilt into stone. Even later, the House of Merchants was decorated with arches. Already from the name it becomes clear that historically the building belonged to craftsmen and merchants. Today the building belongs to the People's Bank.
Scaliger arches
The Arches of the Scaliger, built in the 14th century, are the majestic burials of the rulers of the city, who came from a noble family: Cangrande I, Mastino II and Cansignorio della Scala. The arches are made in the Gothic style, each stands out for its architectural features, each is decorated with an image of the ruler resting in it. These historic sites are located next to the Church of Santa Maria Antica.
Santa Anastasia
The church, created in the Gothic style, was built from the 12th to the 15th century in honor of St. Anastasia the Patterner. The cathedral consists of three pillared rooms; marble floor with mosaics. Santa Anastasia is a stunning work of art: it is decorated with ancient frescoes, bas-reliefs depicting the life of the great martyr herself, and many of them are dedicated to the life of the Apostle Peter. From the inside, the walls are painted in the Renaissance style.
Forti Gallery of Contemporary Art
The ancient Forti Palace was restored in the 20th century, after which a museum of modern art appeared here. Initially, the site was home to a private collection of art collected by Achilles Forti, who donated it to the city. Then, due to the constant replenishment of the collection, it has grown and now comprises 1400 exhibits, of which only a small part are works of modern art, and the rest dates back to the 19th and 20th centuries.
Monument to Dante Alighieri
The monument, erected in honor of the 600th anniversary of the great poet, who gave the world the "Divine Comedy", is located in Piazza Signoria. After his expulsion from Florence, Dante spent part of his life in Verona, which was the reason for the creation of a marble monument. The statue depicting Dante stands in deep thought, the poet holds a book in his hands. On the same square, very close to the monument, there is a cafe, also dedicated to Dante.
Church of San Fermo Maggiore
The modern church building, made in the Romanesque style and complemented by Gothic elements, was erected in the 11th century on the banks of the Adige River. Before that, in the same place there was another church, created in the 8th century in honor of the holy martyrs. The burial place of the saints is also located here. The building is divided into two parts: the upper and lower churches. In the church you can see many old works of art and admire the rich decoration of the premises.
Fountain of the Madonna of Verona
it architectural monument 14th century, built by order of the noble family of Scaligers and located on Piazza delle Erbe. Above the fountain, the figure of the Madonna rises, holding the coat of arms of the city. The bottom of the fountain is strewn with coins - people who come to this place believe that they will be provided with wealth, they just need to throw a coin into the fountain. This tradition dates back to the times when traders and merchants of Verona entered into profitable trade deals with each other around the fountain.
House Romeo
According to legend, passing from one admirer of Shakespeare's work to another, it was in this house that the Montague family lived. The building, built in the 14th century, combines two styles: Gothic and Romanesque. The house cannot be viewed from the inside, because it is a private property, part of the house is set aside for a hotel. Initially, this building belonged to the Counts of Nogarola, only after a long time it turned into the house of Romeo. Not far from it there is another building - Juliet's house.
Juliet's tomb
The grave of the famous Shakespearean heroine is located in the monastery of San Francesco Al Corso, in this place the lovers died. The tomb is located among the exhibits of the archaeological museum. The coffin is covered with sweet declarations of love, flowers lie at the bottom. Next to the tomb there is a picturesque monastery garden, decorated with bas-reliefs dedicated to Shakespeare; in the center of the garden there is a well, into which tourists throw coins - for good luck.
Palace of Captains
The Cansignorio Palace, or the Palace of Captains, is a 14th century building in Piazza Signoria. Initially, the building was a fortress, built by order of the ruler of Verona, Cansignorio della Scala. Later, it housed the residences of the city governors, and then the city prison. Numerous reconstructions have transformed the Palace of Captains; very little remains of the old architecture.
San Zeno Maggiore
The church, built over the grave of Saint Zinon of Verona, was erected in the 5th century. This ancient building has a long history: the basilica was moved, destroyed, reconstructed many times until it became what it can be seen now. The church building is decorated with bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the Bible, sculptures of saints, bronze panels showing the miracles of St. Zeno, and his relics can also be found in the basilica.
Palazzo della Rajone
Palazzo della Ragione is located between Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Senoria. The building was built in the 19th century and has undergone several renovations since then. Many city institutions have visited its premises over several centuries. Even time cannot eradicate the traces of luxurious external decoration. The striped facade of the building immediately attracts tourists' attention. Inside you can admire both ancient and modern paintings.
Monument to Garibaldi
Giuseppe Garibaldi, who lived in the 19th century, is a national hero of Italy, a revolutionary liberator who did a lot for his country, therefore monuments to this great man can be found throughout Italy. One of them was built by grateful Italians in Verona, not far from Juliet's house. Giuseppe Garibaldi rides here on horseback, the hero is often visited by tourists.
Ponte Pietra
Ponte Pietra is an arched bridge 120 meters long, stretching from one side of Verona's Adige River to the other. Its construction began in the 1st century BC, when the ancient Romans lived on this place. Initially, the bridge was made of wood, but more than once collapsed into the river, so later it became marble, and then, after several destruction and reconstruction, turned into stone. Ponte Pietra offers stunning views of the picturesque landscapes of Verona.
Porta Borsari
This is the facade of an old Roman building dating back to the 1st century AD. It used to house the Verona barracks. Only a three-story facade has survived to this day; semicircular arches rise above the road. The historic monument is decorated with columns. Our modern name arose during the Middle Ages and is translated as tax; then a customs outpost was found here. The façade has been fairly well preserved and is an example of magnificent ancient Roman architecture.
San Giorgio in Braida
This Catholic monastery was built in the 11th century. And now you can admire its architecture: the building consists of one nave, there are five altars in the building. Previously, a bell tower towered over the monastery, but then a dome was created in its place. Among the objects of San Giorgio in Braida there are real works of art. The style in which the monastery was built can be attributed to the architecture of the Renaissance.
Monument to Victor Emmanuel II
In many places of beautiful Italy you can find similar monuments. The man in whose honor this building was erected on the Slavyanskaya Embankment in the 19th century is the first king of a united Italy. On both sides, the monument is decorated with figures of lions and women depicting Venice. On the one side of the monument, the statues symbolize defeat in the uprising against Austrian rule, on the other, the annexation to Italy.
Archaeological Museum
The museum was founded in 1923 in the San Gerolamo monastery near the Roman theater. Among the archaeological finds in the collection, you can find many items from the times of Ancient Rome: there are figurines and sculptures, household items, frescoes and mosaics, as well as a large number of other exhibits. The building itself is also a historical monument, a work of art. The collection of the archaeological museum is being replenished with donations.
Chapter Library
This is the old library of Verona, where you can find many ancient books, the most ancient of which is a book from the times of Antiquity, written in 517 by the lecturer Ursicino. The library building was erected in the 18th century, where the precious manuscripts were transferred. During the war, the library was destroyed, some books were lost, others, others were damaged. Later, the building was reconstructed. Now in the Chapters library you can find a huge number of old and rare books.
Church of Santa Maria Antica
The Romanesque church is located in the city center and is one of the most visited places in Verona. The building was built in the 7th century, but was badly damaged after the earthquake, over time it was reconstructed more than once. For some time the church belonged to the important Veronese family della Scala. Santa Maria Antica has three naves. The basilica has preserved frescoes from the 13th century. Now tourists can see this building as it was back in the 12th century.
Church of San Lorenzo
The building of our modern church of San Lorenzo was erected in the 12th century on the site of more ancient temple - this is how ancient documents say. Some fragments of the former building were found during the restoration. The church immediately attracts attention with its facade: striped walls, columns attached at the edges, Romanesque style of architecture. Inside the building, there are matrones - places for women. The columns are decorated with eagles clutching their prey in their claws. The church has been reconstructed more than once.
Porta Leoni
Porta Leoni, or the Lion's Gate, is a gateway from the times of Ancient Rome that stood at the exit from the city. They got their name thanks to the sarcophagus with images of lions standing next to them, and before that they had been renamed more than once. Porta Leoni was built in the 1st century AD and served as a defensive outpost. The gates reached a height of 13 meters, connected with the fortress wall and towers.
Roman theater
The ancient Roman theater was created in the 1st century AD, it is located on the hill of San Pietro. It combines Ionic and Tuscan architectural styles. Previously, the height of the theater was 27 meters. The spectator seats are divided into lower and upper areas. The architecture of the Roman theater has been severely damaged by the flooding of the nearby Adige River. The renovated theater still hosts performances that everyone can watch.
Porta Nuova
The Porta Nuova gate was built in the 16th century, was the main front gate of the city, and also performed a protective function. In the building, you can trace the features of medieval architecture. In the 19th century, the gate was rebuilt. Previously, a lion towered over the gate, and then was replaced by the Austrians with a coat of arms with figures of a two-headed eagle and griffins; the statue depicting an eagle has been lost over time. Even later, the gate was reconstructed.
Palace of the Podestà
The palace was erected on Piazza Signorio in the 13th century by order of the noble family della Scala, who ruled Verona. This palace was once home to the great Dante, who was in exile from his hometown of Florence. Podesta is the position of a manager; such governors held political meetings in the palace, hence the name of the building. A bas-relief with a lion was installed above the castle portal. The top of the building is decorated with battlements, the walls and ceiling inside are painted by Italian painters.
Be sure to visit Verona - your time will not be wasted and memories will remain in your memory for a long time, and the desire to return here will arise again and again.
From the Cathedral of Verona, we came to the Ponte Pietra bridge in Verona. In antiquity, this bridge was called Marmoreus. For all long history of its existence, the bridge has undergone many changes, only fragments of the antique facing have survived to this day. The Germans, leaving Verona in 1945, blew up all city bridges. They did not care whether it was a unique antique bridge or a remake, nothing was spared. It is good that the Veronese foresaw this, took pictures and measured the bridge. As soon as the war ended, the builders of Verona lifted all the fragments from the bottom of the river, carefully connected them and added the lost parts of the bridge.
Ponte Pietra Verona
Pietra Bridge Verona Italy
Houses Verona
From the bridge you can look into the elite balconies of Verona.
Promenade Verona
Church of St. Stephen Verona
Next to Ponte Pietra (you have to walk it to the end) is the Church of St. Stephen, whom Europeans revered very much. There is an assumption that it was this church that served as the city Cathedral of the Veronese in the Middle Ages. This place is prayed for, because already in the 6th century there was an early Christian oratorio here. There is also another ancient Roman monument - a theater. A little further, on a hill in the periphery of Valdonega, is the Temple of the Madonna of Lourdes. The temple is relatively young, but very important for Verona and the entire region. The ancient temple was destroyed by an earthquake in 1511. It is interesting that this area has kept many chapels and churches on its land since the crusades. The thing is that the Verona landscape reminded the crusaders of Palestine, and since they had to abandon the Vostor, they began to "sculpt" from Verona a semblance of holy places. The hill of San Leonardo is located in a strategically correct place, so the Ergerceg of Maximilian of Habsburg in 1838 ordered to make a well-defended fortress out of the church. No sooner said than done, a fortress, and concurrently a political prison functioned here for over a century. However, in 1958, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the appearance of the Madonna in the French town of Lourdes, the monks ordered to build a sanctuary on the site of the citadel, and 6 years later the sanctuary of the Virgin Mary of Lourdes arose here. In addition, there is a cave in which St. Teresa witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary. During the bombing, the original cave did not survive, but the statue of the Virgin was miraculously preserved. Now the temple seems to be hovering over small medieval Verona, protecting and preserving it. In general, it is beautiful on the opposite side of the bridge, you can also wander here.
Verona Italy
And we went back to the city center, to the largest temple in Verona - the Basilica of St. Anastasia. On the way we came across very beautiful old Verona houses.
Beautiful Verona
Beautiful houses Verona
St. Anastasia Verona
St. Anastasia
This Gothic basilica was built by the Dominicans, started in 1290 and finished in 1481. A couple of steps from the basilica is, in my opinion, the most beautiful square in Verona: Piazza delle Erbe.
Erbe Square Verona
Piazza Erbe Verona
This square is located on the pestle of the ancient Roman forum and contains many interesting sights. I'll tell you a little about them. On the southwestern corner of the square is the house of the merchant (Domus Merkatorum) with battlements, almost like in the Moscow Kremlin.
House of Merchants Verona
In the Middle Ages, this building was the seat of corporations, and its location opposite the Verona City Hall, as it were, transparently hinted at the opposition to the economic and political authorities.
Palazzo Maffei is a powerful Baroque building decorated with antique statues of Jupiter, Apollo, Venus and others.
Palazzo Maffei Verona
Near the palace is Clock tower or Tower del Gardelo built in 1370. Next, you should pay attention to the chic Mazzanti house, magnificently painted with frescoes on mythological themes by the master A. Cavalli in the 16th century.
House with frescoes Verona
Arch with bone Verona
Another massive building in the square is the town hall, which is called Palazzo della Rajone. On the building you can see the typical Veronese masonry of tuff and bricks mixed with white stripes. Above the town hall complex rises the most tall tower in the city of Lamberti. By the way, you can climb it, because it was recently restored.
Verona Town Hall
In the center of the Piazza della Erbe is the Gothic fountain of the Madonna of Verona, an image which is highly revered by the Veronese. This is an ancient fountain from 1368.
Verona Madonna, fountain
Nearby is the "pavilion" of Berlin, which served as a place of solemn entry into public office. Now they are covered with tourists who sit on it, resting after long walks. A unique monument of Verona's Venetian past is the St. Mark's Column of Leo (this is a restored copy). The symbol of Venice reminds us that Verona was ruled by the Most Serene Republic for 400 years.
St. Mark's Lion Veron
There is now a tourist market on Piazza della Erbe. They sell all kinds of souvenirs, masks and leather, as well as awesome fruits.
Souvenirs in Verona
We bought a glass each filled with pieces of various fruits, and almost swallowed our tongue. After Moscow's semi-ripe bananas, strawberries and watermelons, Italian fruits seemed like an exquisite delicacy. In May there are wonderful strawberries, pineapples, papayas, peaches, oranges and melons. Come to any frutoria and feel free to buy fruits. Time was approaching lunchtime, the hot sun was hot. We sat down in one of the cafes on the square and drank icy white wine while watching the tourists.
Verona cafe
Then we went through the Arch with the bone and ended up on another very beautiful verona square Piazza Signori... Although it seems that it is just an extension of Piazza della Erbe, divided by an arch, in fact, Piazza Signori is an independent ensemble of buildings.
Entrance to Signori Square
Piazza Signori Verona
The combination of buildings creates an aristocratic appearance of the square, all the houses are very beautiful.
Ptyazza dei Signori Verona
Piazza Signori Verona
Ptyazza dei Signori Verona
Ptyazza dei Signori Verona
Dante is thinking about something and is watching everyone from above.
Italian architectural monuments are widely known throughout the world and annually attract the attention of thousands of travelers. The Scaliger Bridge in Verona is one of the most popular attractions - many tourists strive to see this powerful and at the same time beautiful structure. In addition, it is the Scaliger Bridge that connects the left-bank part of the city with the famous castle of Castelvecchio, a visit to which is included in the mandatory program of excursions around Verona.
The history of the creation of the attraction
The Scaliger Bridge was built in 1355 by order of the ruler of Verona, Cangrande II della Scala - at that time the structure connected the banks of the Adige River and became the only approach to the Castelvecchio castle. Kangrande ordered the construction of the crossing with the sole purpose of securing a safe way of retreat in the event of an uprising of the people dissatisfied with his tyrannical rule.
The famous architect Guglielmo Bevilaqua was responsible for the construction of the Scaliger Bridge - the work continued for ten years. According to legend, upon completion of the construction, the grateful Kangrande presented Bevilaqua with a very valuable gift: a saber that once belonged to Saint Martin of Tours, one of the most revered saints in France. Another popular among locals is interesting storyassociated with Ponte Scaligero - according to her, Guglielmo Bevilacqua was not at all sure that his work was successful and that such a massive structure would stand not only the test of time, but even the opening ceremony. Fearing the possible anger of an influential customer, the architect prudently came to the celebration on horseback, so that in the event of a collapse of the structure, he would immediately disappear from the scene.
Fortunately, the fears of Guglielmo Bevilacqua did not come true at all, and the Scaliger Bridge turned out to be such a strong and reliable structure that it served without any problems for 500 years without reconstruction. For the first time, repair work was needed only at the end of the 18th century - then the tower on the left bank was destroyed by French soldiers. But the Scaliger bridge received the most severe damage in 1945, when it was blown up by retreating German troops. But despite this, already in 1949-1951, the structure was completely restored using all the fragments found after the explosion.
Design features
The Scaliger Bridge is one of the largest structures of that time: the total length of the crossing reaches 120 meters, but if you look at it at an angle, then, thanks to an optical illusion, the structure seems much longer. Ponte Scaligero consists of:
- three spans, with the largest being the middle one - its length is 50 meters;
- two pentagonal towers at the edges.
The upper part of the structure is made of red brick (the hallmark of most of the architectural landmarks of Verona of that era), and the lower part is made of white marble. The Scaliger Bridge rests on three large arches, and its dovetail battlements exactly follow the shape of the castle towers. Thus, it seems that the Ponte Scaligero and the palace are part of the same large-scale ensemble, despite the fact that the crossing was built much later.
Scaliger Bridge: one of the main symbols of Verona
Today, the Scaliger Bridge is one of the main symbols of Verona, along with such famous landmarks as the Arena and Juliet's house. The ferry offers a beautiful view of the city and the Adige River, here you can take many colorful and memorable photos, so many travelers tend to visit this attraction in the first place.
You can visit Ponte Scaligero both independently and as part of an excursion to the castle of Castelvecchio, since the structure is actually the only way to get to the palace. Today, the castle houses a museum, part of the halls of which is dedicated to the history of the building.
Getting to the Scaliger Bridge is quite simple: from railway station Buses run regularly in this direction in Verona (the desired stop is located just opposite the castle), you can also take a taxi. But for those tourists who value the opportunity to get acquainted with interesting places of the city in the most comfortable conditions, the most preferable option would be to order a transfer. For many years, the Scaliger Bridge has been one of the favorite places for walking not only for tourists, but also for locals, which is not surprising, given the magnificent views that open from the crossing. You can take many wonderful photographs and get a lot of pleasant emotions.
Verona is the second city in Italy after Rome in terms of the number of well-preserved Roman buildings: there is an antique theater and an amphitheater, a stone bridge over the Adige River, the Gavian arch and the city gate, the decorative apparatus of which glorifies the Roman Empire.
It is enough just to walk around the city, and the majestic buildings and ruins of antiquity will remind you of its rich past. Walking along the pavements, under which lie the ruins and mosaics of ancient Roman villas and mansions, you can view fragments of these monuments at the specially equipped archaeological sites of Skavi Scaligieri and Villa di Valdonega.
Story
The first contacts of the future Verona with Rome are noted in the IV century. BC. The peoples inhabiting this area begin to enter into regular trade relations with the Eternal City.
Porta Borsari, one of the ancient Roman monuments of Verona / www.shutterstock.com
With the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, Verona first adopts Christianity (this happens between the 3rd and 4th centuries), and then becomes the prey of numerous conquerors from across the Alps. During these dark centuries, the city experienced a short period of prosperity from 493 to 526, when Verona became one of the favorite cities of the Ostrogoth king Theodoric. He builds palaces, water pipes, baths and new walls here.
1181 to 1185 Pope Lucius III lives here. At this time, Verona became an active participant in the struggle of free communes for autonomy, which the emperors Frederick Barbarossa and Frederick II Staufen tried to challenge. After a while, Ezzelino da Romano took power in the city, and since 1263 Verona has been ruled by the Scaliger dynasty for more than 120 years.
The Della Scala family did not disdain any means in order to come to power, but managed to provide the city with long-term economic prosperity, which it has not known since ancient Rome. They built castles, churches, palaces and turned Verona into one of the cultural centers of late medieval Italy: Giotto, Dante and Petrarch were staying at the court of the Scaligers, and the latter discovered a manuscript of Cicero's letters in the library of the local chapter.
On October 17, 1797, the entire region came under Austrian control and remained in this status until 1866, with the exception of the period from 1805 to 1814, when Verona was part of the Italian kingdom. At this time, fortifications were actively being built, the Pastrengo fort, the Arsenal and the San Pietro castle were being built.
What to watch
Amphitheater "Arena"
This is the main monument of Verona, where major concerts and music festivals... It reminds of the ancient past of the city and is the third amphitheater in size that has survived to this day after the Colosseum in Rome and the amphitheater in Capua. "Arena" was built in the 1st century. BC. This elliptical structure rests on a continuous sequence of 27 double stone arches.
During the era of the Roman Empire ("Arena" was built during the reign of Augustus and Claudius) gladiatorial battles took place here; the name "Arena" comes from the Latin word "harena" - "sand": this covering absorbed the blood left after the battles. For many centuries, tournaments and duels were staged in the amphitheater, ballets, circus performances and bulls were tamed; Since 1993, the largest open-air opera festival has been held here, and this is an absolutely unforgettable experience.
Bra Square
When exploring Verona, it is wise to start with Piazza Bra: it is located in the very center of the city and is usually well lit by the rays of the sun. Here you will find buildings of various times and styles.
The most famous of them are the Arena, Palazzo Barbieri and Palazzo della Gran Guardia; Also noteworthy are the "Alpine Fountain", the "Liston" promenade and the palazzo of the aristocrats standing along it, the walls of the Visconti dynasty, the monument to Victor Emmanuel II and the pentagonal tower.
The Alpine Fountain is installed in the middle of centuries-old fir trees that adorn the central square. It was built in 1975 in honor of the twinning of the city of Scaliger and Munich. Locals affectionately referred to as "lemon press" for its shape, reminiscent of a citrus juicer, and happy to bathe in it when the Verona athletes win important victories.
Opposite the fountain is the Palazzo Barbieri, the city hall, where the City Council meetings are also held. This monumental neoclassical building was built from 1836 to 1848. and resembles ancient temples. Its scale is impressive. The central part of the facade is occupied by a protruding portico with columns of the Corinthian order, a wide staircase and a large triangular pediment with the coat of arms of the city. Two wings are decorated with massive semi-columns, which add monumentality and set the rhythm to the window openings in the two floors of the building.
Palazzo Grand Guard / (c) wikimedia.commons
A little further, there is another monumental palace, the Grand Guard, which seems to be trying to compete in grandeur with the bulk of the "Arena". It was built from 1610 to 1853. and consists of two floors and an attic. The building is almost 90 meters long; its facade is decorated with thirteen majestic arcades with powerful and rough rustications. Above the second floor there is an architrave with metopes and triglyphs.
Piazza delle Erbe
For many centuries the "Place de Graves" remained the center of the social, economic and religious life of Verona. In the ancient Roman era, the Forum was located here, the length of which approximately coincided with the length of the present square. The Forum had the Capitol, several temples and baths, connected by a covered gallery with numerous shops.
During the period of the free commune, the buildings of the main state institutions were located here, and under the Scaligers, trade and cultural functions were added to the political functions.
In the eastern part of the square, on the side of Mazzini Street, there is the 13th century Palazzo della Ragione (also known as Palazzo del Comune), the centuries-old center of political power in the city. Above the palace is a tower erected in 1172 by the Lamberti family in the Romanic style characteristic of that era; its traces can still be seen closer to the base of the structure, made of bricks alternating with tuff. Over the years, the tower was made higher, the materials and styles changed, although the result always remained harmonious, and in 1464 the octagonal belfry was completed. The tower reached 84 meters and became the tallest in the city.
In the northwestern part of the square, there are two buildings of historical and artistic interest: the Baroque Palazzo Maffei and the old Gardello Tower. The palace was built in the 17th century. and became the first Baroque building in all of Verona. Its elegant and sophisticated building has three floors and a magnificent façade decorated with six statues of mythological figures. All of them are made of marble of local origin, except for the statue of Hercules: it was found on the ruins of a temple of the 1st century. AD (its ruins are visible in the basements of the restaurant located on the first floor).
The Gardello Tower was built in the 13th century, but acquired its present appearance under Cansignorio della Scala, who ordered the tower to be put in order in 1363 and to raise it to its current height of 44 m.
On the corner with Pelliccii Street stands the magnificent Domus-Mercatorum building, erected by the Scaligers in 1301 to guide the city's workshops, when a new market was placed on the square (space for the old one, which was located in the small Mercato-Vecchio square, by that time was not enough) ... Over the years, it was rebuilt more than once and changed its purpose, but at the end of the 19th century. was returned to its original form of a medieval fortress house.
Ponte di Pietra bridge
This bridge was built in the first century BC. instead of the previous wooden one. It is undoubtedly the oldest and one of the most beautiful Roman buildings in the city, as well as one of the symbols of Verona. In antiquity, Verona had seven bridges across the Adige River, two of which were located near the Roman theater: Ponte Marmoreus (today's Ponte di Pietra) and Ponte Postumius. In 905, there was a flood on the Adige, and the last one was dilapidated. Three centuries later, in 1239, he finally surrendered to the mercy of the elements.
For more than two thousand years of its history, Ponte di Pietra has experienced many floods and collapses and has been rebuilt several times. Now it looks like a donkey's back and rests on asymmetrical arches, which, of course, differ significantly from the original configuration of the structure. However, it is this unusual layering of materials and shapes, which testifies to the various stages in the life of the bridge, which gives it a special charm. The ideal time to stroll around Ponte di Pietra is an evening when the skilfully set lighting, reflections and splashing of the river water make it one of the most romantic places in Verona.
Juliet's house
Juliet and Romeo, two of the most famous lovers in the world, became immortal thanks to the pen of William Shakespeare. The background of their tragedy was Verona, one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, whose historical and cultural heritage has impressed artists, poets, travelers and famous people at all times. The story of Romeo and Juliet's unhappy love unfolds in two well-defined points of the city - Juliet's house and her grave.
The house was built in the XIII century. This is a tower house that has long been owned by the Dal Cappello family, whose coat of arms, a headdress, is embossed on the inside of the entrance arch facing the courtyard. On the facade of the building is the famous balcony, from which Juliet allegedly spoke with her lover. The house can be visited: inside there is a plausible reconstruction of a 15th century house, distributed over several floors; the walls are decorated with frescoes that have been restored now, and besides them, benches with carved boxes, brick fireplaces and other details stand out in the interior.
In the back of the courtyard there is a statue of Juliet by Nereo Costantini. Thousands of tourists from all over the world come here every year.
Antique theater
Today, from the Roman theater, built on the hillside of San Pietro towards the end of the 1st century. BC, there were only seats for spectators and a tribune, as well as individual arches and impressive fragments of the scene. New civil and religious buildings were built on the ruins of the theater in the Middle Ages. Clearing the monument began in 1834.
Antique theater / www.shutterstock.com
At the top of the theater, in the premises of the former monastery of San Girolamo, is the Archaeological Museum. It was established in 1924. The exhibition displays hundreds of items found in and around Verona, as well as materials from the city's collections. Many things are kept in storerooms and are shown only at certain exhibitions.
Lamberti tower
The Lamberti Tower was built of tuff, bricks and marble during the Middle Ages. In 1464 it was restored, and in 1779 a large clock was installed on the tower. Its height is 84 m. The tower is famous for its two bells - Rengo and Marangona; the first gathered the city council or called the townspeople to arms, and the second chimed the clock or warned of a fire.
The tower can be accessed by stairs or an elevator. From there, a magnificent view of old city and the vicinity of Verona.
Cathedral
Although the Verona Cathedral is located in a small and austere square, it is the most beautiful and richest church in the city. The graceful church of the Assumption of the Virgin on the site of an early Christian basilica, towering over the rooftops of the historic center, was consecrated by Pope Urbano III in 1187.
Interiors and details of the Verona Cathedral / www.shutterstock.com
Over the next centuries, it underwent numerous alterations in order to expand and decorate it. In the middle of the 15th century, its naves increased in height, and a late Gothic façade was added. In the XVI century. the architect Michele Sanmicheli designed the bell tower of the cathedral. In the XVIII century. the side chapels of Santissimo Sacramento and Madonna del Popolo were redesigned in the Baroque style, and in 1880 a new marble floor was created. The construction of the campanile was resumed in 1913.
The facade of the cathedral is divided into three parts by triangular buttresses. Here Gothic and Romanesque are bizarrely combined: this is an architecture of flowers, the dominant feature of which is a magnificent two-level wipe. In the lower part, it is supported by twisted columns, which are supported by winged griffins. Semicircular arches with floral ornaments, hunting scenes and figures of saints on the sides rest on the columns.
In the upper part we again see a semicircular arch with a tympanum above it and arches that rest on eight columns. Prophets and animals are carved on the magnificent portal, and in the upper part it is decorated with a lunette with a multi-colored bas-relief depicting the Madonna enthroned with a child, surrounded by magi and shepherds who have come to look at it.
Even higher, it is easy to see the modifications of the 15th-16th centuries, when the building was added on, a pair of large double bifor windows appeared on the facade, a rose in the middle, surrounded by a blind loggia with eight copies of small columns, and even higher - the last level with the coat of arms of Cardinal Agostino Valliera, who was Bishop of Verona for three decades (from 1565 to 1599) and an important member of the congregation of the Roman Inquisition.
Enogastronomy
Verona's culinary tradition is based on two pillars: traditional local products and the imagination of the chefs. One of the most famous local dishes, "Gnocchi", was once food ordinary people... Gnocchi Day is Fat Friday, when this potato dumpling becomes the queen of the Verona Carnival. From the first courses, it is worth noting tortellini di valeggio sul Mincio, bigoli with duck, risotto with minced meat "tasasal".
Tortellini with truffle
And, of course, one cannot fail to mention the local cheeses, first of all, Monte Veronese from the pastures of Lessinia, which is made in three versions. The basis of its excellent taste is excellent milk and strict adherence to old production technologies.
Rice "al-tastasal"
In general, Venetian cuisine in all its diversity is presented in Verona. The territories around Verona are very different in terms of climatic and geographical features, so chefs have at their disposal a wide variety of high-quality products. Excellent olive oil is produced in the Lake Garda area, and there is also a large selection of wines.
Bigoli with duck
Verona is Italy's leader in terms of the number of DOC wines produced (1.5 million hectoliters per year). Of the 22 DOC wines produced in the Veneto region, 10 come from the vineyards of Verona. Two wines of the highest category Bardolino Classico Docg and Recioto di Soave Docg are also produced in Verona. Verona's vineyards are located on hills that stretch across the province from Lake Garda to the Val d'Alpone near the Vicenza border.
Vineyards in the Valpolicella Valley
The large vineyard area also contributes to the variety of wines produced. These are bardolino, lugano, shrub and garda grown in the hills around Lake Garda. Valpolicella and soave are considered the birthplace of Valpolicella, Val Pantena, Val Scuaranto, Val Mezzane, Val d'Illasi, Val Traminha and Val d'Alpone. Durello and Monte Lessini are made in the east; in the north, in Val d'Adige and Val Lagarina, the newly popular autochthonous wine enatio is produced.
How to get there
By plane
By plane: Catullo / Villafranca airport is located 12 km from the center of Verona. It is connected by rail to Porta Nuova train station. There are daily flights from the airport to Milan, Rome and other cities in Italy and Europe.
By train
Verona's main station is called Verona Porta Nuova. Here the main railways of the country intersect: Milan-Venice and Rome-Brennero. Also from this station there is a line Verona-Mantua-Modena.
By car
Two motorways lead to Verona, the A4 Turin-Venezia and the A22 Brennero.
