RESTAURANTSINVENICE.COM
VERONA
This
wonderful city located along the Adige River and at the foot of the
Lessini Mountains (today a National Park,) has been the site of various
human settlements for the past 300,000 years. Early settlers, who began
working with materials other than flint, used stone as one of the
principle natural resources. They fashioned numerous objects from
instruments for use in daily life to religious artifacts.
At the time when the region was first touched by Roman civilization, it
was probably inhabited by Celts. The Emperor reinforced the city's
defenses with strong city walls. Extraordinary monuments were built and
the urban structure began to take shape—it was an interesting
mix of the Medieval and modern.
Over the years, Verona became a very important city due to its
geographical location (even today, it is an important industrial and
commercial gateway to the north of Italy) and its ports provide access
to northern Europe. For this reason, it became one of the most highly
developed urban centers in Italy.
After the successive barbarian invasions between the fifth and tenth
centuries, Verona was finally made a Free City at the beginning of the
thirteenth century. After a long struggle against Frederico Barbarossa,
the city came under the rule of the Scala family in 1260. It was the
Scala family who transformed it into one of the most important kingdoms
of its time. It took in most of the Veneto, as well as the large
regions of Emilia and Tuscany and was dotted with magnificent buildings
and stunning works of art.
In 1405, it became part of the Venetian Republic. In 1796, it was
occupied for six months by Napoleonic troops. By 1801, the French and
the Austrians had successfully divided Verona, and it was annexed by
the Hapsburg Empire in 1814.
During the nineteenth century, Verona took on an important
administrative and military role. The city's defenses were reorganized
and strengthened: Verona became the principle stronghold of the
"Quadrilateral" (the other three being Mantua, Peschiera and Legnano)
which became the pivotal point of the Lombardy-Veneto defence structure
during the War of Independence. The province of Verona officially
became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1866.
There are several artistic spots to visit around the city, the
following are a few which are not to be missed: the Piazza dei Signori, which
is a truly beautiful sight, flanked by the Palazzo del Comune with
its neo-classical façade; the imposing Medieval Torre dei Lamberti (83
meters high); the Palazzo Tribunale, or Palazzo del Capitanio, a
Scaligieri palace with a characteristically angular tower (the
Scaligeri ruled Verona from 1260 to 1387); the Loggia del Consiglio (a
splendid example of Veronese Renaissance architecture) and the "Duomo"
(cathedral). This was built in the twelfth century, on the site of an
early-Medieval church. It underwent many renovations between the
fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The façade successfully
blends Roman and Gothic architectural elements. Its gateway and Roman
entrance hall are beautiful. The interior is Gothic and houses many
priceless artistic treasures including an altar-piece by Tiziano
depicting The Assumption (1535), which is in the first chapel on the
left.
The Palazzo Pompeii (now home to a museum of natural history) was
designed by the architect Sammicheli. In fact, Sammicheli's work is
also visible throughout the city as he was responsible for its complete
restructuring.
The Piazza delle Erbe (once
the site of an ancient Roman forum) is characterized by monuments
dating back to various periods which stand opposite the market. It is
also home to the Arena - one of Verona's
most famous monuments. It was built in the first century A.D. and has
been expertly preserved, thus making it one of the world's most
evocative and important operatic theatres. The interior is elliptical
and measures 44.43m X 73.58.
The Castelvecchio is a splendid example of military architecture. It
was built towards the end of the fourteenth century, when the nobility
began to doubt the allegiance of the city.
Last but not least, is Juliet's House,- where
Shakespeare's heroine was said to have lived. It is now a place of
pilgrimage for many star-crossed lovers.