| |
Verona is a work of
art in itself: a
fascinating
cross-roads of
historical periods and
cultures (both
classical and
Germanic), a blend of
both Nordic and
"Mediterranean"
influences; the city
is at the same time
both ancient and
modern.
A walk through its
narrow streets allows
you to get in touch
with its varied and
fascinating past:
traces of its splendid
Roman origins, its
prevailing medieval
structure dating back
to the time of knights
and castles, its
magnificent
Renaissance palaces as
well as the impressive
fortifications which
protect it.
A suggestive blend of
art and history which
continuously
fascinates the
onlooker
|
|
The Arena – Verona’s
most famous monument,
visited by tourists
world-wide.
Situated in Piazza
Bra', the Amphitheatre
was built in the first
half of the 1st
century A.D., in the
period which marked
the end of Augustus’
reign and the
beginning of that of
Claudius. It is the
third largest
amphitheatre in Italy,
after the Colosseum
and the amphitheatre
of Capua.
Its elliptical shape
produces perfect
acoustics from every
physical stand point
in the arena and
enhances its capacity
to accommodate a great
number of people.
Performances used to
take place in the
centre of the
amphitheatre, the
“harena” (hence the
name) or the area
covered in sand where
gladiatorial combats
were held, the sand
being used to absorb
the blood of
gladiators and
animals.
The amphitheatre
consists of three
concentric rings: only
a brief section of the
external ring remains the so-called “Ala”.
The façade was built
in limestone (white
and pink in colour)
from the Valpolicella
quarries. Its original
colour has come to
life thanks to recent
restoration. The
second internal ring
remains intact with
its double tier of
seventy-two arches
|
|
"There is no world
without Verona walls":
the pen of William
Shakespeare has lent
Verona fame and
immortality with his
tale of two
star-crossed lovers,
Romeo Montecchi and
Juliet Capuleti.
The story of their
tragic love is set in
two precise locations
- Juliet's house and
the tomb.
The Capulet House,
best known as
"Juliet's House",
dates back to the
thirteenth century. It
is tower-shaped and
belonged to the Dal
Cappello family, whose
coat-of-arms is
visible above the
inner arch-way of the
court-yard. The brick
façade is decorated by
elegant gothic windows
standing on either
side of the famous
balcony on which
Juliet is said to have
spoken to Romeo.
The house has several
storeys and tickets
can be bought to visit
it. The interior
contains the furniture
of a typical
fourteenth century
aristocratic
household, enhanced by
a wide range of
medieval ceramics.
Antonio Avena's
masterful restoration
(carried out in 1935)
brought to life the
elegant frescoes
within, and which
highlight inlaid
wooden chests, brick
fireplaces, wooden
staircases and
landings.
At the far end of the
courtyard stands Nereo
Costantini's bronze
statue of Juliet
visited by thousands
of tourists every year
from all over the
world.
|
|
