This is home of the most famous lovers in the world,
Romeo and Juliet and a place where they have the most preserved Roman buildings in northern Italy.
This is Verona Italy, where history, culture and romance meet on every corner.
Hi guys. My name is Rok and I’ve spent the last 9 years travelling around Europe as a tour guide
and I can’t wait to show you Things To Do In Verona, Italy.
This hill is the best place to start exploring Verona. It rises just above the bend of Adige
river and offers you the best panorama of the city. From up here you can see how Verona was
built on a strategic position and on an important crossroad. That is why Verona was already an
important Roman city. After the fall of the Roman Empire the city was conquered by different German
kings, including Charles The Great, and has become the residence of kings. In 11 hundreds a
major earthquake heavily damaged the city and a big rebuilding project is the reason why Verona
has such rich medieval architecture. 13th and 14th centuries were the revival of Verona as the
city was ruled by the Della Scala Family known as Scaligeri. Verona again became prosperous,
rich and powerful and was surrounded by new defensive walls. That is why the Scaligeri coat of
arms with ladders can be seen all over the city. Another common symbol in Verona is a Lion Of Saint
Mark that marks the power of Venetian Republic that ruled this city for the next 400 years.
That is why after Napoleon conquered Venice, Verona became part of a French Empire.
After Napoleon's defeat, Austrians took control of the city and used this strategic
hill to build this military castle. Verona remained part of Austrian Empire until 1866,
when the city became part of United Italy. As you can see, it is well worth coming up here,
despite the fact that the castle is off limits. The get here I walked on a beautiful
uphill stairway as the funicular is temporarily closed. Before I show you the rest of the city
I want to thank you for clicking the like button and commenting down below.
It really makes a huge difference and it helps this video a lot. Now let’s go around Verona.
Right under Saint Peter's hill on the banks of the river is already the first impressive Roman
monument. This more than 2100 years old oval-shaped Roman amphitheater is leaning
against the slope of the Hill. Theatre was lost over centuries as buildings grew over its ruins.
That is why this small 10th century church stands on its steps. But in 18 hundreds a rich merchant
bought all the houses in the area and set about archaeological excavations which unearthed the
original marble floor and rows of stone seats. Right behind the amphitheater rises a 15th century
convent that was turned into an Archeological museum full of ancient roman columns,
mosaics and other high quality pieces. Museum also offers a nice view over the
famous old Roman Bridge Ponte Pietra, which was rebuilt after being destroyed in WWII.
You can visit the theatre as part of the joint ticket with the Archeological museum.
Verona's old town was strategically built on the bend of the River that surrounds the city on
three sides. The city was further protected by the city walls that have surrounded the city from the
Roman times and have been rebuilt ever since. The historic part of Verona is still partly surrounded
by city walls and there are still several old city gates from different eras. The oldest city
gates were built by the Romans. In the middle Ages Verona got new city walls and new gates
and a few centuries later Venetians added their contribution to the defensive system of the city.
Even Austrians rebuilt and built part of town walls as late as the 1800s. This beautiful Roman
gate dates back to the 1st century and it served as the city’s main entrance. Gate was built using
locally sourced limestone and it features two arches flanked by decorative Corinthian columns.
Portoni della Brà are city gates from the middle ages that lead to the largest square in Verona,
lined with beautiful houses, numerous cafés and restaurants.
On this impressive and beautiful square you simply can’t overlook three most impressive buildings.
First is the most amazing landmark of the city,
the 2000 years old Verona Arena built by the Romans. Second is this neoclassical place from
18 hundreds that is used as a present day town hall. And the third imposing building is Gran
Guardia palace from 16 hundreds that is used as a venue for conferences and exhibitions. Between
the two buildings is the old town wall where you can find Verona's tourist information office.
In the middle of the square is also a small park with trees and a bronze statue of the
First King of United Italy. That statue is an important symbol for Verona, as it marks
the time when Verona became part of Italy. This is one of the most popular and lively squares,
perfect for people watching and soaking up the vibe of the city.
From the biggest square, Piazza Bra, this beautiful street takes you to the second largest
and even more beautiful square that we will visit later. This is Verona’s main shopping street and
is one of the largest pedestrian areas in the city. This is also one of the busiest streets
as it is lined with beautiful high end shops and is a perfect place for window shopping.
As mentioned in 11 hundreds Verona suffered a major earthquake, when most of the buildings
were destroyed and the city had to be rebuilt. This roman catholic cathedral, the main church
in Verona, was one of the new buildings after that earthquake. It has a beautiful ornate marble
façade with biblical scenes and pillars supported by two griffins, a mythical hybrid between a lion
and an eagle. Impressive and spacious interior dates from the 15th-century renovations. Church
has a nave and two aisles divided by beautiful red Verona marble columns. Above the main altar is a
stunning fresco and on both sides are beautiful golden organs. Church is also famous for its
adjoining Baptistery with octagonal Baptismal Font carved from a single block of marble.
As it is beautifully sculpted with biblical scenes it is considered a true medieval
masterpiece. Admission is 3 euro. There is no way to get around Romeo and Juliet in Verona.
On this street just a few steps from Piazza della Erbe stands a brick house known as Juliet's house.
The story was written by famous English playwright Shakespeare, but it was based on real life places
and events in Verona during the 1300s. At the time Italian families and towns were in fierce disputes
due to political reasons. The supporters of the supremacy of the political power of the pope
were called The Guelphs. The Ghibellines, on the other hand, argued that the pope should only be
a religious leader and that political power lay with the emperor. This led to violent disputes
between cities and families that belonged to one or the other faction and Verona was no exception.
As Shakespeare used real life for his fictional story of forbidden love, you can visit real
Juliet’s house, see the exterior of real Romeo’s house and visit Juliet’s tomb. There is even a
Juliet Club that has been handling thousands of letters as a team of volunteers replies to
each and every one of them in the name of Juliet. Juliet’s 13th century house is a small museum,
but there isn’t much to see. Here is also a small courtyard with a statue of Juliet.
Famous balcony was added to the house only in 1936. If you enter the house you can step on
the balcony but make sure you have someone to take a photo from the courtyard. The entrance
to the courtyard is free, while entrance to the house is 6 euro. The story is inspiring
and I guess this is a must see in Verona, but don’t expect too much from the house itself.
This Basilica with ornate Romanesque façade and huge rose window called
“Wheel of Fortune” is one of the most important religious buildings in Verona.
For a long time the adjoining abbey was the city's official residence of the Holy Roman
Emperors. The Basilica and the abbey were built in honour of St. Zeno, the patron saint of Verona,
who died in the year 380. The huge crypt from the 10th century houses the patron saint's body
in a sarcophagus, and his face is covered by a silver mask. Due to St. Zeno’s relics, this
church was a centre of European pilgrimage for centuries. Maybe it was due to its fame that the
crypt was chosen by Shakespeare to be a fictional location of the marriage between Romeo and Juliet.
Church interior has an unusual 14th-century timber roof and beautiful Romanesque capitals. From the
inside you can admire beautiful bronze doors built by different masters from the 11th to
13th century. In the aisles are frescoes from the 13th to 15th centuries, but its biggest
masterpiece is its Renaissance altarpiece depicting the Madonna with Child and Saints.
And this is the beautiful old square I mentioned before.
It is surrounded by magnificent buildings and palaces and represents the heart of Verona.
This was the central square already in Roman times and it remained the centre of social and political
life also in the middle ages when the old town hall with its impressive Lamberti tower was built.
This is the tallest tower in Verona that was continually built upon for the next 300 years,
so the newest part is its marble top. You can visit the tower by climbing its 238 steps or by
taking a lift and enjoying great views. Square also features an old fountain with a statue of
Madonna Verona, a 1700 years old Roman sculpture. In the middle of the square is also a small raised
canopy from the 16th century. In the old days it was used for market surveillance and anyone who
was found guilty of cheating was chained to it and was exposed to the ridicule of the people.
On the southern part of the square is this beautiful Gothic market column from the 1400s.
The bronze sculpture next to it depicts a popular Veronese poet Berto Barbarani. At
the northern part of the square, in front of the beautiful palace, stands another column,
topped with The winged lion of Saint Mark, erected by the Venetians to show its power.
It is hard to believe, but if you pass under that Arch known as Costa Arch you will get to another,
even more beautiful square. Dangling from the arch is a whale’s rib, which as legend goes, will fall
on the first truly just person to pass beneath it. And it is this charming and elegant square,
considered as "the hall of Verona". It is surrounded by a series of elegant
and important historical palaces built in the Renaissance. As the name of the square,
Square of the Lords, suggests, this was the center of power. Here was the seat of city government,
including the court and the seat of power of Della Scala family, the rulers of Verona, known also as
Scaligeri. In the middle is a famous statue of Dante Aligheri, famous Italian poet and writer
and the father of the Italian language. Dante was given a refuge in Verona after he was exiled from
Florence in 1302. Due to this famous statue the square is also referred to as Dante square. Most
of the buildings are off limits to the public, but you can walk through the archway at the far end of
the square to see amazing ornate Gothic funerary monuments, the tombs of the Della Scala family.
The Scaligeri family left a big impact in Verona. Under their rule the city again became rich and
powerful so no wonder you can see their heritage all over, but their most impressive mark sits on
the banks of the river. This square-shaped red brick fortified castle from the 1300s was built
by the Scaligeri. It has seven towers, elevated keep and is surrounded by a ditch as Scaligeri
wanted to protect themselves against the citizens in case of revolt against their tyrannic rule.
The castle has an adjoining bridge over the river, which at the time of its construction,
was the longest of its kind in the world. The fortified bridge was intended to allow escaping
the family in the event of a rebellion. The castle houses the City Art Museum,
packed with a rich collection of medieval sculptures and Renaissance paintings. This
is the most important landmark of Verona, a huge 2.000 years old Roman Arena.
After a major earthquake in 11 hundreds the structure's outer ring that served as a façade
was almost completely destroyed, but the internal structure remained in good shape and makes it one
of the best preserved ancient structures of its kind. This Arena could seat about 30.000
spectators in its 44 tiers of marble seats. At the centre of the area floor gladiators would fight
for life against wild beasts. As you can see there are many modern elements in this ancient arena.
Thanks to its elliptical shape it has excellent acoustics and remains to be in use as one of
the greatest open-air stages. Attending one of the music or opera shows in this
arena is one of the best things. Otherwise the Arena is open daily and the entrance is
€10,00. I told you at the beginning that in Verona history, culture and romance meet on every
corner. No wonder then, that this city has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You can
spend hours wandering the charming streets, admire beautiful shops and enjoy the Italian heartbeat of
the city. Besides the places I showed you Verona offers many more great museums, amazing churches
and other charming places worth exploring. And just a half an hour drive away is also the largest
lake in Italy, beautiful Lake Garda with the most popular Italian amusement park Gardaland. If you
want to learn about food and shopping in Verona, check out my upcoming video in the top corner.
If you like this video please give it a thumbs up. You can share your questions, suggestions or
experience about Verona in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification
bell to be notified about my future travel videos. Thanks for watching, and see you next time.