VERONA
Verona: guided walking tours of the city of the noble Scaliger family
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I provide tours of the city of love and opera, offering visitors the opportunity to discover all the marvels of Verona, even with personalized itineraries. When visiting the city of Romeo and Juliet, visitors can't help but be enchanted by the lights and colours of past eras, all intermingling with ancient stone walls and arches. Let us show you everything that Verona has to offer. Beautiful Verona, small and courageous. Enveloped by the river Adige, fortified and well-defended, yet best known as the home of Romeo and Juliet.
While Verona is known as the city of love, it is also a city of music, with Operas and concerts often being staged amid the suggestive backdrop of its magnificent Arena. Originally founded by the Romans, Verona later fell under the control of the noble Scaliger family, the Republic of Venice, and finally the Austrian Empire. Today, the city welcomes large numbers of visitors amid the magnificent backdrop of its surrounding hills and the Adige River, as well as its splendid marble and brickwork, which render each visit truly unforgettable.
The walking tour in Verona
Starting from piazza Brà, where the Arena has stood for centuries, visitors can admire the Liston area on one side, and Palazzo Barbieri (which serves as the city hall) and the Gran Guardia (with its exhibits) on the other. Heading down via Roma, visitors will find the magnificent Castelvecchio, home of the Civic Museum, which features splendid works of both Medieval and Modern art. Making their way along Corso Cavour, visitors will come to the Gavi Arch, which overlooks the River Adige in one of its most unnatural expressions.
Further ahead the road is flanked by grandiose buildings, statues and archways, most of which date back to the 16th century. After having passed the tallest façades, visitors will come to Porta dei Borsari, where travellers once paid a toll to gain access to the city. Beyond the two arches, which stand immersed among the surrounding medieval buildings, the namesake roadway begins, and after a few hundred metres opens up onto one of the most beautiful piazzas of the entire Veneto region: piazza delle Erbe.
After having passed beneath the majestic Torre dei Lamberti, which stands opposite the shady façade of the Domus Mercatorum, visitors will come to a short road that leads directly to the heart of Roman and medieval Verona: piazza dei Signori, with its statue of Dante Alighieri, as well a numerous other small squares surrounded by splendid buildings, including the Loggia del Consiglio and the Arche Scaligere, and even palazzo della Ragione, which has recently been restored and converted into an exhibition space. One can just imagine the clamour of the past, the vivacity of these places amid the frenzy of hagglers and politicians, the decisions of the courts and the secret meetings held by the notaries, who decided the fate of the city and its inhabitants. Here, visitors can admire Palazzo degli Scaligeri, with the elegant Lion of Saint Mark overlooking the entrance and the imposing Scaligere Arches, which represents an excellent example of a cemetery of honour.
At this point, we leave these squares behind to head towards the place that everyone wants to see in Verona: heading down Via Cappello, in fact, we make our way to Juliet's Balcony to watch and take part in the local superstitious rites by touching the statue's breasts and announcing our true love's name from the balcony.
Verona's churches and monuments
Leaving Juliet's house behind, we head back towards the River Adige, where the city once again comes to life, passing through Porta Leona (which dates back to Roman times) and making our way to the 11th century Benedictine Church of San Fermo Maggiore.
Perhaps we'll linger for a while around Ponte Pietra and Castel San Pietro to enjoy the wonderful panorama of the city, or else venture over to see the Romanesque and Gothic architecture of the Duomo and the church of Sant'Anastasia. Castel San Pietro, in fact, is going to be the home of the new museum district, which is expected to be open for tours soon.
Leaving the historic centre, we make our way to the Basilica of the city's Patron Saint, San Zeno, which features a magnificent triptych by Mantegna on the main altar. Further ahead we find the church of San Giorgio, with its dome reflecting off the river, not to mention the Arsenal and the bridge of Castelvecchio, which we have already visited but are nevertheless drawn to once again. At this point, we check to make sure that we've brought some money with us, and make our way down Via Mazzini into Verona's shopping district.
Contact me to help you
All this and much more can be illustrated by Verona's licensed tour guides, who will offer you the choice of the itinerary that best meets your needs, as well as the possibility of combining your tour of Verona with an unforgettable excursion to Lake Garda or a wine tour of the nearby Valpolicella wine region. If you're interested in discovering Verona, the Valpolicella wine region, or Lake Garda, be sure to sign up for our newsletter. If you're planning your trip and would like to request a free quote, I am at your complete disposal to help create your custom itinerary.
