Verona Italy: Historic City Of Romance And Roman Heritage Explored

Verona, Italy is where stone keeps two scripts at once — imperial and intimate. Largest city in Veneto with 255,131 inhabitants, inscribed as City of Verona UNESCO World Heritage in 2000 for its monuments, it preserves many ancient Roman monuments including the Arena in early Middle Ages and became one of main tourist destinations in Northern Italy for its opera season in the ancient amphitheatre and its identification with Shakespearean romance.

Arena, Stone, And Second Rome

Arena is Roman amphitheatre now located in centre of city in elegant Piazza Bra, although when built in 1st century it was located just outside city walls. It is monument that more than any other recalls Verona’s Roman origins, so much so that it has become symbol of Veneto town throughout world along with figures of Romeo and Juliet. After Rome, Verona is considered to be second most important city in Italy for its rich and remarkably preserved Roman remains such as Amphitheatre Arena, Roman Theatre, Ponte Pietra, Arco dei Gavi, Porta Leoni and Porta Borsari, to name but a few.

Inside Arena, centrepiece project is wheelchair-accessible ramp clad with pre-rusted steel and same Prun stone from Lessinia hills above Verona that was used by Romans to build Arena. Local stone gives Arena its pinkish-yellow hue and contains fossilized shells — remnants of prehistoric sea that once covered region now known for hills and vineyards. Built in first century AD, Arena originally used for gladiator contests and public spectacles, hunts of fierce exotic animals. Being set in historical centre, Arena was always venue for spectacular events, today exceptional acoustics make it ideal location for opera performances that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year during festival season.

Precise details of Verona’s early history remain mystery along with origin of name. One theory is city of Euganei obliged to give it up to Cenomani 550 BC. With conquest of Valley of Po, Veronese territory became Roman about 300 BC. Verona became Roman colonia in 89 BC, classified as municipium in 49 BC when citizens ascribed to Roman tribe Poblilia. City became important because it was at intersection of several roads. Stilicho defeated Alaric and his Visigoths here in 402. In 489 conquered by Ostrogoths, Gothic domination began, Theoderic built palace. In 569 taken by Alboin King of Lombards in whose kingdom it was second most important city. Many early medieval edifices destroyed or heavily damaged by earthquake of 3 January 1117, which led to massive Romanesque rebuilding.

Scaligeri And Shakespearean Invention

Between 13th and 14th centuries, city ruled by della Scala family. Under rule of family, in particular of Cangrande I della Scala, city experienced considerable prosperity, becoming rich and powerful and surrounded by new walls. Della Scala era preserved in numerous monuments around Verona, including Arche Scaligere tombs of ancient lords. Cangrande was notable as warrior, prince, and patron of arts; he protected Dante, Petrarch, and Giotto. By war or treaty, he brought under control cities of Treviso 1308, Vicenza 1311, and Padua 1328. At that time before Black Death, city was home to more than 40,000 people.

Three of William Shakespeare’s plays are set in Verona: Romeo and Juliet which also features Romeo’s visit to Mantua, The Taming of the Shrew and The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Among Verona’s Shakespeare-related landmarks is Casa di Giulietta, medieval house associated with Cappello family. Its identification with Shakespeare’s Capulets developed later, and building converted into museum in 1930s when courtyard balcony added. It is unknown if Shakespeare ever visited Verona or Italy, but plays have lured many visitors to Verona and surrounding cities. Verona was also birthplace of Isotta Nogarola, said to be first major female humanist and one of most important humanists of Renaissance.

Under Holy Roman and Austrian rule, Verona known in German as Bern, Welsch-Bern or Dietrichsbern. Otto I ceded to Verona marquisate dependent on Duchy of Bavaria, however increasing wealth of burgher families eclipsed power of counts, and in 1135 Verona organised as free commune. In 1164 joined with Vicenza, Padua and Treviso to create Veronese League integrated with Lombard League in 1167 to battle against Frederick I Barbarossa. Victory achieved at Battle of Legnano in 1176, Treaty of Venice signed in 1177 followed by Peace of Constance in 1183. In 1226 Ezzelino III da Romano elected podestà converted office into permanent lordship, then Mastino I della Scala converted signoria into family possession leaving burghers share in government.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is Verona A UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Inscribed 2000 as City of Verona for monuments criteria ii iv area 444.4 ha buffer 303.98 ha because value and importance of many historical buildings, urban structure and architecture from Roman to Scaligeri to Venetian, preserved many ancient Roman monuments in early Middle Ages.

What Is Verona Arena Built From And When?

Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Bra built first century originally outside walls, eighth largest in Roman Empire fourth in Italy. Built from Prun stone Lessinia hills pinkish-yellow hue with fossilized shells prehistoric sea, now wheelchair-accessible ramp clad pre-rusted steel and same stone.

Why Is Verona Considered Second After Rome For Roman Remains?

After Rome considered second most important city in Italy for rich remarkably preserved Roman remains: Arena, Roman Theatre, Ponte Pietra, Arco dei Gavi, Porta Leoni and Porta Borsari, intersection of several roads, colonia 89 BC municipium 49 BC.

How Did The Scaligeri Shape Verona?

Ruled 13th-14th centuries della Scala family, Cangrande I protected Dante Petrarch Giotto, brought Treviso 1308 Vicenza 1311 Padua 1328 under control, city more than 40000 before Black Death, built churches palaces monuments after earthquake 3 January 1117 Romanesque rebuilding, Arche Scaligere tombs.

Why Is Verona Linked To Shakespeare?

Three plays set in Verona Romeo and Juliet with Mantua visit, Taming of the Shrew, Two Gentlemen of Verona. Casa di Giulietta medieval house Cappello family museum 1930s balcony added, unknown if Shakespeare visited Italy, birthplace of Isotta Nogarola first major female humanist Renaissance.

Verona endures because it never chose between antiquity and invention. Its Arena holds opera because Romans built for acoustics that outlast empire, its balcony holds lovers because a 1930s museum understood that myth needs a place to stand. To enter through Porta Borsari and exit over Ponte Pietra is to walk a city that preserves while performing — Roman, Scaligeri, Shakespearean — each layer audible in stone that still holds fossilized sea.