VERONA

After Venice, which I told you about here, here, and here, we took a quick train ride over to Verona. Verona is actually just as old as Rome, and there is a lot of history within this city. From the train station, a quick bus trip into the heart of Verona drops you off in Piazza Bra, a giant circular area with a park in the middle and restaurants around it. Verona still has surrounding walls that once protected the city and an arena that is still used today for opera productions. 

 Piazza Bra

little park within the piazza

 

part of the city wall

 arena

setting up the stage for the evening opera production

Verona is also known as the setting for a little story you may have heard of by Mr. Shakespeare himself called Romeo and Juliet.

“Two households, both alike in dignity, 

In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, 

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, 

Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.”

Though fictional, the story of Romeo and Juliet brings a lot of tourism to this city. There is even a fake Juliet's house.

 the famous balcony

 statue of Juliet (it is considered good luck to rub her right breast..)

  lover's graffiti 

There is a giant square called Piazza Erbe which has market and souvenir stands along with restaurants, a few fountains, and a giant clock and tower. We stopped here for a sandwich and fresh fruit during the day and gelato that night.

As we continued through Piazza Erbe on our little walking tour, we went to the beautiful church Sant'Anastasia. The man handing out brochures to read about the church thought I was German. It was fun.

 the ceiling was amazing

Just around the corner from the church is the Adige river. We walked along the river wall twice taking in the great views during the day and as the sun set and soft lights along the river and bridge came on at night.

One last unique site we stumbled upon was the original city walk way and ruins.

Verona was nice, but it definitely wasn't our favorite. To be fair it was very hot and humid, and we were a sweaty mess. That's what we get for going in July I guess. However, that made us even more excited for the gorgeous and refreshing beaches we had heard so much about in the Cinque Terre...

I am glad I was able to visit Verona though, if only for the fact that it is very old with a lot of history. And that I can tell my students I went to the setting of Romeo and Juliet - it always helps to have pictures and real life stories to lure them in. :)

Goodbye fair Verona.