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Verona Hotels
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Arena - Photo (c)
Odelot
Visit Verona in one day
VERONA.
With its position between the banks of the River Adige winding
at the foot of the hills, the beauty of its colors, the green of
its cypresses, the dark red of its bricks, the ivory of its
stone, the white marbles, the extraordinary barroom; of its
mixture of Roman, medieval and Renaissance art, and the
magnificent splendor of its churches, Verona is one of the most
fascinating cities of Italy. An ancient prehistoric settlement,
then a city of the Gauls and the Romans, a capital of Ostrogoth,
Longobard, and Frankish dynasties, it next passed, after the age
of the communes, into the brief, but happy, possession of the
Scaligers (1260-1387) and lastly to the Venetian Republic.
Our visit begins in the spectacular Piazza Bra, the site of the
enormous Roman Arena (1st century), the largest structure of its
kind after the Colosseum. Next to the Arena, we find the
neoclassical Palazzo Municipale. (Town Hall) and, set against
the city walls, the Palazzo delta Gran Guardia (1610). Passing
through the 15° century archways which span Corso Ports Nooks,
we come upon the Mafjet Museum of Gems, with a handsome
etassical courtyard; beyond Via Roma is a row of three fine
palaces, Vaccari, Barbaro and Malfatti (designed by Sammicheli,
1555). Taking Via Roma, we reach Castelvecchio, an impressive
14° century fortress on the Adige, which today houses the Civic
Museum and its important collection of Venetian painting (works
by G. Bellini, Crivelti, Tintoretto, Titian, Tiepolo, Guardi,
and by those gentlest of Veronese artists, Stefano da Zesio and
Altichicro). Before leaving the Castle, we should wander among
its towers and battlements to enjoy the marvelous view.
Taking Stradone Antonio Procolo, we pass by the Renaissance
church of San Bernardino (1466), and come to San Zero, the most
beautiful church in Verona and one of the most important in
Italy. It was founded in the 5° century, but in its present form
it dates from 1138, at which time the magnificent face was
finished with its elegant porch and carvings by Nicola and
Guglielmo, a masterpiece of Romanesque sculpture. Passing
through the superb Romanesque bronze doors, we enter the
grandiose interior where, on the high altar, there is a Triptych
by Andrea Mantcgna (1459), one of the noblest paintings of the
Renaissance. Following the Adige back to Castelvecchio, we go on
by it to the superb Arco dei Gavi (ca. 50 AD.), demolished in
1805 by the French and later rebuilt. After the Palazzo Canossa,
designed by Sammicheli, we go on down Corso favor where we find,
on the left, the Romanesque church of S. Lorenzo, and on the
right, the Palazzo Bevilacqua (1530) and the church of SS.
Apostoli.
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Casa di Giulietta - Photo (c)
d@di
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Beyond the Roman Ports Borsari, we come to the Torre del Gardello, in front
of which we find the lively Piazza delle Erbe, whence we pass into the
adjoining Piazza dei Signori, a superb creation dating from the Middle Ages
(Palazzo della Ragione, 1193, and the 13° century Palazzo degli Scaligeri)
and from the Renaissance (the splendid Loggia). Close by here is one of the
most enchanting spots in Verona, that stretch of street dominated by the
Arche Scaligere, in which, between their palace and S. Maria Antics are
buried the Scaliger lords, under whose rule Verona passed out of the Middle
Ages into its glorious a Rebirth. Wandering through the neighbouring
streets, we come to , Juliet's House; then taking Via Stella, we pass be
side the 14° century church of S. Maria delta Scala, and then along Via
Anfiteatro, with the Palazzo dei Diamanti, we return to Piazza Bra, where we
may interrupt our tour for lunch in one of the excellent restaurants.
In the afternoon, we start off again from Piazza Bra and going to the left
of the Town Hall, reach the very ancient church of San Pietro Incarnario and
then San Fermo Maggiore (1261), richly decorated inside with frescoes by
Altichievo and with magnificent tombs. From San Fermo, we cross the Adige on
the Prime Navi, beyond which is the handsome Palazzo Pompei (1530) designed
by Sammicheli, and then the Church of San Paolo (inside, canvases by
Veronese, Caroto, etc.).
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North of Via Venti Settembre is the church of SS Nazaro and Celso (fine
Venetian paintings), from which we make our way to S. Maria in Organo, an 8°
century Benedictine abbey remodeled by Sammicheli (superb inlaid woodwork in
the choir dating from 1499). Passing Santa Chiara (15° century) on our
right, we reach the foot of St. Peter's Hill, into the side of which is set
the Roman Theatre, in a magnificent position overlooking the city and the
curving sweep of the Adige. Nest to it is the Archaeological Museum.
Following the curve of the Adige, we come to the stately church of San
Giorgio (1477-1536) which contains several famous paintings, amongst them
the Martyrdom of St. George, a masterpiece by Veronese, and the Baptism of
Christ by Tintoretto. Crossing the bridge in front of the Roman Theatre,
only a few steps away we find the Romanesque Cathedral with its lovely
semicircular apse (12° century) and a Cloister with small red marble
columns; inside, the Assumption by Titian (1540). We then take Via Damon and
come to the last masterpiece of Vcronese architecture which remains to be
seen, Sant'Anastasia, a Dominican Gothic church (1290) with priceless
frescoes by Pisanello.
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Itinerary courtesy of
ENIT
(c) 1997-2008 E. Massetti
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