What to see in Verona and what attractions should be put on the map of your visit, even if you come to the city on your own and only for 1 day. To make it easier for you to plan your trip, Blogoitaliano has compiled an indicative route covering all the most significant places in the historical center. Verona, although a relatively small city, is full of interesting sights to the eyeballs.
From Port Nuova Station to Verona Arena
Thanks to William Shakespeare, Verona became famous throughout the world as the most romantic place on the planet. However, leaving the train at the Port Nuova station, there is little to remind about this.
Walking along the old streets of Verona is best to start with square bra. You can get to it from the train station in just 10 minutes by buses No. 11, 12, 13, 51, 52, or in about 20 minutes on foot. The bus stop is located in the square right in front of the station.
Verona is called one of the most romantic cities in the world.
If you travel to Verona by train and stock up on the Verona Card in advance, then this bus trip is almost the only place you need to buy a ticket.
You can go to all other significant places with Verona Card for free, and a list of them can be found in this article.
The card applies not only to all the main attractions of Verona, but also to public transport. You can pick up the card according to your online order just at Bra Square - in the tourist office on Via degli alpini, 9.
The sconce, as the Veronians themselves briefly call it, is the largest square in the city. Even the name itself speaks for itself, because "sconce" literally means "wide."
The first thing that catches your eye in the square is a huge ancient amphitheater Arena di Verona. This is one of the main attractions of the city and a place worth seeing, even if you are in Verona for only 1 day or several hours.
Verona Arena even older than the Roman Coliseum
The construction by those standards was truly colossal. Just imagine: the arena accommodated about 30 thousand spectators! Even in our time, this is a pretty impressive figure.
The amphitheater is still used for its intended purpose - today it serves as a venue for one of the largest opera festivals in the world. Of course, not without the production of "Romeo and Juliet." They say that better than in Verona, it is not played anywhere else.
Since we are talking about a great play, it's time to go to the house of her main character.
From the Arena to the Juliet House and the Romeo House
From what is worth seeing in Verona in one day, Juliet's House - the second most popular tourist attraction in the city and perhaps the most controversial.
Many travelers believe that it was here that the family lived, which became the prototype of Shakespeare's Capulet. However, in reality, this beautiful mansion has a very indirect relation to the work.
Juliet's balcony was built only in the XX century
And even the very famous balcony on which the girl allegedly listened to Romeo's fervent confessions is also a fiction. It was added already in the 20th century in order to support the wave of romance that swept Verona after the release of the film by American director George Cucor.
This wave does not subside to this day. Every day, hundreds of lovers and those who are just looking for their love leave notes on its walls asking them to help in the affairs of the cupid.
But, if you came here impressed by the movie "Letters to Juliet", most likely you will be a little disappointed. The whole romantic mood will dissolve in an endless stream of tourists who also want to touch the story of great feelings.
After Juliet’s house, it’s quite logical to look into Romeo's housewhich is located nearby - on Via Arche Scaligere.
Here, it was also planned to set up a museum similar to the house of Juliet, but these plans have not yet been implemented.
Now the house can be viewed only from the outside, as it is privately owned. But no one will forbid you to enter the restaurant, which occupies the first floor of the mansion.
From Romeo's House to Signoria Square and the Lamberti Tower
Literally next door to the house of Romeo is another interesting attraction of Verona - Scaliger Arches.
They are named after the clan that ruled the city in the XIII-XIV centuries. They are tombstones of several prominent representatives of the dynasty.
These delicate towers, skillfully carved in stone, are considered one of the most striking examples of Gothic art. By the way, one tomb is located directly above the entrance to Church of Santa Maria Anticawhich is also worth a look.
Signoria Square
This is one of the oldest buildings in all of Verona. The temple was erected in the XII century. and practically did not undergo any changes. Once he served as the house church of the very Scaligers, and many members of this family are buried in the land adjacent to it.
Further narrow street will lead you to Piazza dei Signori, which has long served as the political and administrative center of Verona.
The buildings of the once main city governing bodies were located here: the Palace of Reason (or the Palace of Justice), the Palace of Podest, the Palace of Captains and the Loggia of the Council.
Monument to Dante in Signoria Square
By the way, it was in the Palace of Podest who was visiting Danga Scala for a long time who was expelled from Florence by Dante Alighieri, whose monument was erected in the center of the square. The palace itself from the 13th century was used as the residence of the Verona rulers.
One of the most interesting buildings in Signoria Square is the Palace of the Mind. At one time, the city council met here, there was a court and a prison.
However, during its long history, the palazzo (or rather, its courtyard) managed to shelter even the market and various warehouses. Now it has been turned into an art gallery with an exposition dedicated to contemporary art.
But the main place to visit when you are at the Piazza dei Signori is Lamberti Tower. It rises above Verona at 84 m, and it is the tallest building in the city. From its top a wonderful panorama of the surrounding beauty opens.
The tower began to be built in the XII century. commissioned by the influential Lamberti family, but in the end the process lasted for centuries. It acquired its final appearance only in the 18th century, when a clock was installed on one of the facades.
Piazza delle Erbe and Santa Anastasia
Having admired the bird's-eye views, we will go to piazza delle erbe or Herbs Square. It is a stone's throw from the Lamberti Tower and is considered the oldest in Verona.
The square was formed on the site of an even more ancient Roman forum, and some buildings even preserved frescoes of that period.
The heart of the square is adorned with the fountain of the Verona Madonna. The crowning sculpture of the Virgin Mary is also a legacy of antiquity - it dates from 380 g.
The heart of Piazza delle Erbe adorns the fountain of the Verona Madonna
Previously, there was a vegetable market in Piazza delle Erbe, and local merchants made profitable deals near the fountain. From here came the tradition that if you throw a coin into the water, then in the future there will certainly be prosperity and good luck in business.
And, of course, the look falls on the pompous baroque palace, richly decorated with stucco and sculptures. it Palazzo Maffei named for the genus that owned it.
Initially, the building appeared here in the XV century, but later, as usual, was rebuilt and completed in accordance with the taste of the new owners.
Today, there are luxurious apartments in which anyone who wants to feel the spirit of history can stay. True, the price for one night corresponds to the high status of the palazzo.
The winged lion in Piazza delle Erbe recalls the 4 centuries of Venice's power in Verona
Well, in the meantime, we will go further straight along the Corso Sant Anastasia to the church of the same name. She is dedicated St. Anastasia the Conflicter.
At this place the temple existed from time immemorial, but at the end of the XIII century. brothers from the Dominican Order decided to build a new basilica in honor of the holy martyr Peter.
However, the memory turned out to be stronger, and the locals in the old fashion continued to call it Sant Anastasia, because of which the former name was eventually returned.
From Ponte Pietra to Castelvecchio and the Scaliger Bridge
The next point worth seeing in Verona is Ponte Pietra Bridge, the oldest in the city.
The first bridge on this site was built in the 1st century BC and was wooden. Over the centuries, the design has been repeatedly destroyed, rebuilt and improved.
The last time the bridge was destroyed during the Second World War, but, thanks to the efforts of the Veronians, it was assembled literally in pieces, returning the original form.
Ponte Pietra Bridge is the oldest in the city.
Not far from the bridge is one of the main attractions of Verona, which is worth paying attention to, even if you travel on your own - Cathedral.
The appearance of the temple combines the features of the Romanesque and Gothic styles, which gives the facade a sort of strict elegance. The temple began to be built in the 12th century, but even after the construction was completed, it was repeatedly subjected to various changes and restoration, including due to serious damage.
You should definitely go inside to admire the beautiful interiors of the cathedral. It is decorated with many magnificent works of art, among which are the works of Titian.
A beautiful panorama of Verona opens from the opposite bank
You can complete an independent walk in Verona at Castelvecchio Castle and Scaliger Bridge. The formidable fortress was designed to protect the city from attacks from the other side of Adige.
Nowadays, the castle has lost its defensive functions and is now successfully serving peaceful purposes.
Today it houses the City Museum of Castelvecchio, famous for its collection of works of art from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. It includes not only painting and sculpture, but also ceramics, weapons, jewelry and other luxury goods.
What else to see on your own in Verona in 1 day
The plan that we cited in the article can be easily mastered both in a few hours and stretched for a full day. It all depends on how much time you spend on sightseeing.
Of course, in a short article it is impossible to fit everything that a city is rich in. But if you have time and desire, you can devote free hours to the sights located a little away from the route.
The most notable of these are the Giusti Garden, the Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore and the Roman Theater. More details about them can be found in our article on the most interesting places in Verona.
Walking in Verona is best started with Bra Square
Another good idea for a first acquaintance with the city can be an excursion with a Russian guide; see rating and reviews or a trip on a double-decker sightseeing bus.
Well, if you plan to choose Verona as a base for exploring Italy, we recommend our articles on how to independently and economically get to the most interesting places in the vicinity:
- How to get from Verona to Lake Garda
- How to get to Venice
- How to get to Florence
- How to get from Verona to Milan
If this article was helpful to you, save it to your social network, because when you travel independently to Verona for 1 day, many of these nuances will come in handy more than once.
