Verona is a city of history, culture and worldliness, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is world-famous as the home of Romeo and Juliet, but it also has much to offer: from its lively opera scene to traditional food and wine, its urban and suburban territories are rich in cultural treasures. It is a place of great traditions that cannot be missed. Here you can find a guide about what to visit on your one day trip to Verona.
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Piazza bra
Piazza Bra is considered the main square of the city where you can discover important buildings and above all the Roman amphitheater symbol of Verona, the Arena. Along the western side of the square it is possible to admire the Portoni della Brà and the imposing Palazzo della Gran Guardia.
To the south is the neoclassical Palazzo Barbieri, the current seat of the municipal administration.
On the northern side there is the renowned Liston, the Veronese promenade par excellence and the Palazzo Honorij Guastaverza.
At the end of Liston, take Via Mazzini, the busiest and most elegant street in the city.
Verona Arena
The Arena of Verona, with its characteristic elliptical shape, is the best known of Verona's monuments. A Roman amphitheater where the people of Verona witnessed gladiator fights in the past and which still today tells the more and less recent history of the city of Verona with its stones.
Crossing Piazza Bra, the most famous of Verona's squares, the Arena almost seems to want to welcome those who want to visit the historic centre. Anticipate the timeless beauty of a city made of red marble, elegant streets, monuments, castles and bridges over the Adige.
The excellent state of conservation of the Arena is the result not only of the careful restoration and conservation work carried out over the centuries, but also of the material used for its construction, Veronese marble, a durable and highly prized material of which squares and squares are also made. important churches of the city.
Historic center
Throughout the city center of Verona, there are dozens and dozens of finds from various eras that can be admired. Many, set in residents' homes. The brightness of the marble of its monuments will take you two thousand years back in time: the Arena amphitheatre, a magnificent presence in Piazza Bra, the Roman Theatre, older than the amphitheatre, built on the slopes of the Castel San Pietro hill as a natural scenography for the city.
The monumental gates to defend and celebrate the greatness of the Roman Empire, Porta Borsari and Porta Leoni, invite you to enter the ancient Roman town centre.
Hidden beneath the level of the road surface are the remains of the glories and magnificence of the past: astonishing remains of villas and domus mosaics can be visited a few meters below road level. An extraordinary journey through time in the archaeological area of the Scaligeri excavations or in the villa of Valdonega.
Juliet's house
The Juliet House Museum, one of the most famous places in the city of Verona and an absolute point of reference for lovers from all over the world, is located in a medieval palace in Verona where, probably, since the 13th century, the Dal Cappello family resided. The building, located in the delightful Via Cappello, not far from the central Piazza Erbe, has been the subject of numerous restoration and renovation interventions over the centuries, passing through the hands of various owners. In the meantime, the legend and popular belief that identifies it as the birthplace of Juliet Capulet, protagonist, together with the beloved Romeo Montague, of the famous Shakespearean tragedy, grew, and in 1907 the Municipality of Verona deemed it appropriate to acquire at least part of the entire medieval complex. The famous balcony is the result of the assembly of 14th century marble remains which, until 1920, lay in the Castelvecchio Museum as stones to be re-used, according to the architectural fashion of the time.
Castelvecchio and the mountain
Cangrande II della Scala wanted the construction of the Castelvecchio to ensure a fortress against external dangers that could come from the bridge, but also against possible uprisings of the population of Verona following internal struggles within the Scaligera family.
The Scaliger Bridge to which it is connected, in fact, projected the Castle beyond the river, ensuring an escape route towards the countryside. Like the bridge, the Castle has also experienced mixed fortunes.
After the fall of the Scaligeri it was used by the Venetians as a weapons depot and then became barracks during the French and Austrian rule. The 1926 restoration removed the military elements and inserted late-Gothic and Renaissance references.
Castelvecchio has two nuclei: in the one on the right there are the main courtyard and the parade ground; in the one on the left the Scaliger palace where the lords lived with a narrower courtyard and double walls.
What to eat in Verona
Amarone risotto
Amarone, a fine red wine produced in Valpolicella, is the protagonist of this first course, one of the most popular in local cuisine.
We are talking about a preparation that enhances two local excellences. Even the variety of rice used, the Vialone Nano, is grown in the Verona area - more precisely in the southern areas - and boasts the PGI mark.
This is a fairly simple recipe to replicate at home. A tasty first course that will certainly amaze your guests.
Potato gnocchi
If you are wondering what to eat in Verona, the potato gnocchi have always been an excellent choice: an apparently simple dish that becomes a delicacy thanks to the many possible combinations with sauces and tasty condiments. Gnocchi have a very ancient origin, linked to Carnival. In fact, it is said that in 1531 the people were victims of a serious famine and that the doctor Tommaso de Vico had large quantities of bread, wine, flour, butter and cheese distributed on the last Friday before Lent. At the time of their invention, gnocchi did not contain potatoes, because the American continent had not yet been discovered.
Boiled with pearà
It is one of the typical Veronese dishes with the most ancient origins: legend has it that it was created to help the Lombard queen Rosmunda, who remained fasting after her father's death, recover her strength. It is a boiled meat of beef and vegetables served with a special sauce (the pearà) based on breadcrumbs with pepper, cheese and broth. The boiled meat with pearà is a true institution and during the year there is no shortage of festivals and thematic events in various areas of the province.
Pastissada de Caval
Pastissada de caval is a stew made with horse meat, red wine and onions. Traditionally it was a dish prepared for parties and special occasions, but today it is possible to enjoy it in many restaurants and trattorias. The combination we recommend is perhaps obvious, but for us essential: the famous polenta!
Tortellini from Valeggio
Tortellini from Valeggio are a great culinary pride for the area of the province of Verona on the border with Mantua. A very thin pastry sheet that allows a glimpse of the rich filling of meat, cheese, nutmeg and rosemary makes the tortellino di Valeggio a timeless classic and always appreciated.
Verona, a magical city where art, history and culture come together to give you wonderful memories. The historic center of Verona is undoubtedly a place full of characteristic places that are worth visiting at any time of the year. The ideal starting point can only be the very central Piazza Bra. Here it is possible to admire the ancient walls of the Arena of Verona, home every year to one of the most famous opera festivals in Europe, and the Portani della Bra. Castelvecchio, the most impressive monument in the city is located a few tens of minutes walk from the Arena. However, a visit to Verona cannot be considered complete without having taken a look at Juliet's house and its famous balcony, made famous throughout the world for the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet.
To continue discovering more hidden gems and captivating destinations, stay tuned for more articles on our website. In case you are traveling to Portugal or Poland in the future, you should try out our tours in Porto, Lisbon, and Warsaw. Remember to follow us @thewalkingparrot to be continuously updated on the new releases. We will be back soon with a new article !
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