Added: 08/13/2005 |
Antiquity and Romance Restored in VeronaAccording to Shakespeare "There is no world outside these walls..." The tragic story of the love of Romeo and Juliet, which Shakespeare situates in Verona, makes the city a perfect destination for lovers and tourists looking for emotions.
Verona is one of the most ancient and beautiful Italian cities. It has been named a UNESCO world heritage site.
Verona is famous for its Roman amphitheatre, the Arena. The Arena was built in the 1st century AD. It forms an ellipsis and is 138,77 m. long. (To save you from counting there are 44 tiers of steps!) In Roman times the Arena could host more than 30,000 spectators, and the most requested events were gladiators' fights (against lions too).
The Arena Verona is so well preserved that it serves as the center of one of the most exciting annual opera festivals in the world. The Opera Festival in Verona has had, and continues to have, some of the best artist in the world such as: Maria Callas, Mario del Monaco, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Franco Zeffirelli, Daniel Oren. Concerts at the Arena are usually sold-out, so buy your tickets beforehand.
Many of the tourists visiting Verona for the legend of Romeo and Juliet. In the courtyard of Juliet's house, (which is always crowded with the tourists), right below Verona's most famous balcony, stands the bronze statue of Juliet. Visitors touch her wishing luck in love. You can also see the house where Romeo lived and the tomb of Juliet.
There are a lot of very beautiful churches in Verona. When visiting them remember to be respectful - often scarves are available to cover up bare shoulders if you do not have your own.
The church of San Stefano was intended to be the first city's cathedral. It is a real masterpiece of Veronese Romanesque architecture. The interior of the church preserved a valuable works of Marcantonio Bassetti, the most famous Veronese painter from 17th century.
The Basilica of Santa Anastasia is the most important gothic style religious monument in Verona. Constructing of the church lasted a century. The church possesses a high mellow brick bell-tower built in the 15th century.
On the other side of the River Adige, across the Ponte Pietra, is situated the San Pietro Hill and the Castle of S. Pietro. From the top of that hill there is a spectacular view on the city of Verona and the Adige River.
San Zeno Maggiore is one of the most beautiful Romanesque churches in Italy. It was founded in the 5th century above the tomb of Bishop Zeno. After it was devastated by an earthquake in 1117 it was rebuilt from 1118 - 1138. Some highlights are the portal (the doors in particular), the altar painting of Andrea Mantegna, the statue of Bishop Zeno, the cloisters, the crypt.
The church of Santa Maria della Scala was originally built by order of Cangrande I della Scala in 1325, and has been modified over the years. It was completely rebuilt after being damaged in the war and only the outside walls are original. It contains the 14th century fresco "Madonna and Saints Jerome and Zeno", which includes portraits of Cangrande della Scala and his wife.
These churches are just several of numerous spectacular Verona churches. You can find these and other sights of the city in Verona citybook (PDF). Download the citybook from the page http://www.verona.com/en/
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