Verona is a perfect town to walk in. It is not too big, it is flat and it is full of beautiful things…come for a walk through the lovely streets.
A good place to start is Piazza Erbe with its stunning fountain and beautiful frescoed buildings.
Our next stop was Juliette’s balcony, possibly the worst bit of Verona.
The balcony was built in 1936 to cash in on the story of Romeo and Juliette, a fictional tale. It has become extraordinarily tacky, with walls covered in scrawling signatures. Last time I was in Verona there was actually a wall covered in bits of chewing gum with notes stuck on. There has been some attempt to remove this, but it has not been entirely successful.
Now people push and shove to touch the breast of a statue of poor Juliette in the hope it will bring them luck and possibly romance.
In nearby Piazza dei Signori you can see Dante conjugating a few verbs while he looks down from his high perch. The square was largely covered in scaffolding, so I can’t really show you what it looks like.
From here you can walk through an amazing doorway into the courtyard of Palazzo Tribunale dating from 1365.
There is a spectacular arched entrance on the opposite side.
This building in Piazza dei Signori has an incredible facade.
On the opposite corner is an archway leading to some apartments. I would love one of these balconies.
Near the Piazza dei Signori are the Arche Scaligere, the mausoleums of the Scala family who ruled Verona in the 1200s and 1300s. They are a fine example of Italian Gothic architecture.
Beside this is another gorgeous archway.
A short walk away is a beautiful building…it makes me want to paint the front of my house.
The church of St Anastasia is one of the most beautiful in Italy. It was begun in 1290 and completed in the early 16th century. It is the largest in Verona. The interior is magnificent and I will show you more of that later.
The Verona Cathedral is not far away and almost as fabulous as St Anastasia.
Castelvecchio is a military structure from the 1300s with a bridge crossing the Aldige River.
Moving on…to the amazing arena in Piazza Bra. It was built in the 1st century and once held 30,000 people at a time. Now, because of safety, half that number gather to watch performances. It is one of the best preserved ancient structures of its type.
As you can see Verona is a beautiful city. It also has sophisticated shops and restaurants. It manages to combine the new with the ancient very well.
Don’t miss Verona when you come to Italy. Shakespeare used Verona as a backdrop for 3 of his plays with good reason.
Beautiful! I love the architecture!
By: M E Cheshier on April 5, 2015
at 9:56 pm
Verona is very beautiful. There is a delight around every corner.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 6, 2015
at 9:33 am
If wishes were fishes.
By: M E Cheshier on April 6, 2015
at 4:36 pm
Reblogged this on Travels with Mary and commented:
Beautiful!
By: M E Cheshier on April 5, 2015
at 9:56 pm
Thank you.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 6, 2015
at 9:33 am
You are very welcome!
By: M E Cheshier on April 6, 2015
at 4:36 pm
Only been to Verona once, but it was magical. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos.
By: Sandra on April 5, 2015
at 10:37 pm
I have been a few times to Verona and like it more each time.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 6, 2015
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The ceiling in St Anastasia is so very beautiful – the second photo above that one … Is that a painted facade? If it is, it’s lovely – and lovely anyway!
By: Jan on April 6, 2015
at 12:08 am
The ceiling of the church is magnificent. Yes, that is a painted facade, a bit worn, but still beautiful.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 6, 2015
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What a lovely city…..another reason to return.
By: Kerry & Jim on April 6, 2015
at 12:47 am
Verona is gorgeous. It was quite busy last week. It must become very crowded in the summer.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 6, 2015
at 9:36 am
Love your photos of this gorgeous city. It’s sad that some people show so little respect for Juliette’s beautiful statue. The defacing of that wall is just disgusting. 🙁
By: anotherday2paradise on April 6, 2015
at 12:51 am
I think that area is horrible. It really needs to be cleaned up.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 6, 2015
at 9:36 am
Lovely photo walk: have not been too long! Have ‘Money makes the world go round’ in my head looking at that false advertising re the supposed ‘Juliet’ . . . are people really so gullible and ignorant . . . ? And the City Fathers so venal?
By: Eha on April 6, 2015
at 2:10 am
I’m sure the original intent to have a Juliette’s balcony was a good idea, but it has become very unattractive.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 6, 2015
at 9:37 am
Hi Debra, really enjoyed the stroll through Verona most of which is very familiar. You’re right about the Juliette balcony, it has become very tacky with all those bits of paper stuck to the walls, not to mention graffiti. Hopefully it will eventually get cleaned and stay that way. I went in there once and walked straight out again. There are so many beautiful and interesting places to see in Verona and it’s very easy to get around on foot. The buses are also easy to use too. Just buy a book of 10 tickets at the Tabac (newsagent). Looking forward to being back in Verona later this year. Thanks for the fabulous photos Debra.
Cheers
Robyn
By: italia4ever on April 6, 2015
at 4:04 am
We also went to Juliette’s tomb. I don’t know why they call it that. There is a museum attached and the area is quite nice, but it is a fictional story, why pretend otherwise.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 6, 2015
at 9:38 am
Thank you that was a great conducted tour of Verona. Some I remember well and some I never saw. Poor Juliet with all these tourists touching her. Loved the photos and remembered it to be one of the most beautifully preserved cities in Italy.
By: Dianne CANT on April 6, 2015
at 5:20 am
Verona is very beautiful. Juliette deserves better.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 6, 2015
at 9:39 am
Verona looks beautiful Deb….but that balcony…..yuk! I knew there was a reason why I didn’t get off the train to see that balcony. But one day…enroute to Venice from Lake Como, I will get off that train to visit this city. Lovely as always…..thanks Deb. Ciao, R.
By: Paris Rendez-Vous and Beyond on April 6, 2015
at 6:53 am
Ignore the balcony and see the rest of Verona, it is gorgeous.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 6, 2015
at 9:40 am
Verona is such a treasure! Love the frescoes, and I do agree with you, St. Anastasia is one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. On the other hand, I hate what people do with Juliet’s statue and the wall next to the “balcony”. I guess that those vandals have never read the play….
Thank you for those beautiful photos, Debra!
By: Mulino Dominillo on April 6, 2015
at 6:58 am
St Anastasia is breathtaking. I could stand a gaze at the ceilings for hours.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 6, 2015
at 9:40 am
Well, now I’ll have to put it on my list! Thank you for the wonderful photos.
By: sheilasunshine on April 6, 2015
at 6:58 am
Verona is easy to reach by train from Bagni di Lucca. It is really worth a visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 6, 2015
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It does look an interesting city….I found a guide my parents had, and thought it might be worth a visit some time
By: Sue on April 6, 2015
at 8:06 am
Verona is well worth a visit. It would be easy to spend a few days there to really enjoy it.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 6, 2015
at 9:42 am
Thank you for the tour. We will def make time to go there, but i think we will give juliets balcony a miss! Is October a good time to go?
By: janetknight57 on April 6, 2015
at 8:57 am
I think October would be a good time to visit. The summer crowds would be gone and the temperature should be good.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 6, 2015
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Yes I love Verona. Went with Peter many years ago, then with Julie and Ann. Now enjoy daytime pictures
Sent from Samsung tablet.
By: Pam Proctor on April 6, 2015
at 2:11 pm
Verona is a very beautiful city. It is on my list of places to visit often.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 8, 2015
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Verona is more beautiful than I remember
By: Lyn on April 6, 2015
at 7:06 pm
You clearly need another visit.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 8, 2015
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Nothing like a good walk anywhere in Italy. Always love the windows.
By: aFrankAngle on April 7, 2015
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Verona is a feast for the eyes.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 8, 2015
at 7:04 am
Obvious and less Obvious Verona. Great notes about one of my favorite cities in Italy. There’s more to Verona than Romeo and Juliet. The food! At restaurants like Ristorante Greppia on Vicolo Samaritana. The street, a small-secluded alley-way (vicolo), takes its name from the Biblical Samaritan woman and the restaurant from the courtyard tavern where horse drawn carriages took travelers to the train station. The tavern was called greppia (manger) because it was the place where the horses ate. A less than obvious place for one of the best meals I have had in Italy.
By: Pamela Marasco on April 7, 2015
at 1:47 pm
You are right about the food. I have had some great meals there. I also love the Caffe Borsari for coffee.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 8, 2015
at 7:05 am
I moved to Verona from Brisbane Australia beginning of March and will stay here for a year at least. Luckily I found an apartment to rent a few minutes from Piazza Bra. I spend at least half my day walking around the city and nearby places or interest. I just can’t get enough of the sites and living in an apartment in a 400 year old building with Roman excavations underneath is just the cherry on the top. Time for another walk love reading your blog Debra.. Happy Days
By: Brian on April 8, 2015
at 12:43 pm
Lucky you being in Verona for a year! I’m sure you will find things to keep you busy every day.
By: Debra Kolkka on April 8, 2015
at 2:12 pm
Superb photos (again). Wow, I had no idea Verona was so beautiful, day and night. Definitely one to visit.
By: chris oconnor on April 9, 2015
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Verona is a gem I agree Deb. Could be happy there I think.
By: janinevasta on April 10, 2015
at 7:46 am
[…] headed off to Verona with a friend in April. It is one of my favourite cities in […]
By: A year of travel | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on December 26, 2015
at 1:18 pm