Tourist information on Verona, Italy

Verona is a city in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Its historic architecture, particularly its well-preserved Roman ruins and pink-hued medieval buildings, has made it a popular tourist destination. The setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliette, it is a Mecca for the romantically inclined. Verona may be happily wedded to its past but it is also a thriving modern city and cultural centre, a popular venue for fairs and shows.

Verona was founded as a Roman colony in 89 BC and soon developed into an important hub as a consequence of its location at the intersection of several major roads. After the fall of Rome, Verona was conquered by the Goths in the 5th century and was later captured by the Lombards in 569. By the 12th century, Verona was organised as a commune and was ruled by its wealthy families, although for a time (from 1508 to 1517) it was controlled by the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. The city was occupied by the French in 1797 and was annexed to Austria when Napoleon signed the Treaty of Campo Formio later that year, only to become part of Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy in 1805. After the fall of Napoleon in 1814, Verona reverted to Austrian rule and ended up as part of a united Italy in 1866. Today, Verona is a prosperous modern city with a thriving economy and tourist industry.

Occupying pride of place amongst Verona's historical monuments are its ancient Roman ruins, which are some of the best preserved in Italy. The most impressive of these is the Roman amphitheatre, the Arena, which is situated in the northeast of the city, on a hill across the river. Built in around 30 AD, this is the third largest amphitheatre in the Italy, with a capacity of 25,000. Whilst most of the outer ring was damaged by earthquake in the 12th century, the structure's interior is virtually intact and is used today as the venue for fairs, shows and open-air operas in the summer. Nearby, there is an archaeological museum (situated in a medieval Jesuit convent), which houses an extensive collection of mosaics, sculptures, vases and other artefacts from the ancient world. The city's other great Roman monument is its Roman theatre (Teatro Romano), built in the 1st century BC. This is near to another important Roman landmark, the Ponte di Pietra (Stone Bridge). The Arco dei Gavi (Gavi Arch) dates from the 1st century and once straddled the main Roman road into the city. Standing at the end of the Corso Porta Borsari is the Porta Borsari, a grand archway built in the 3rd century which originally served as a gateway in the Roman city walls. Porta Leoni, dated to the 1st century, is all that remains of the Roman city gate, on a street that is an open archaeological site which reveals the original Roman street and gateway foundations.

Verona's other great historical buildings date from medieval times. Foremost of these is the Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore, a huge Romanesque structure of the 12th century dedicated to the city's patron saint, St Zeno. Its most distinctive features are its large rose window, known as the Wheel of Fortune, and fine bronze doors. The interior is richly decorated in frescos of the 12th to 14th centuries, and the vaulted crypt contains several tombs, including that of St Zeno. Adjacent to the basilica is the elegant 72 metre tall bell tower and an attractive cloister. Another important sacred building is the Chiesa di San Lorenzo, a small Romanesque church from the 12th century, built on the site of a Paleochristian church. This is distinguished by its alternating bands of stone and brick, graceful arches and two cylindrical towers. Chiesa di Sant Anastasia is Verona's largest church, founded by Dominican monks in the 13th century. Although parts of the exterior are in poor condition, it has some impressive Gothic features. Immediately adjacent to this is San Giorgetta, a small chapel which some early Renaissance frescos.

The Duomo is Verona's Gothic-Romanesque cathedral, a 12th century replacement of an earlier church that was destroyed by the 1117 earthquake. Dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, it has an ornate marble façade by the Veronese architect Nicolò, with pillars supported by two large stone griffins. The interior houses several important medieval paintings and a beautiful marble font. The cathedral includes a cloister and bishop's house. Santa Maria Antica is an impressive Romanesque church which is renowned for its Gothic Scaliger Tombs.

Another prominent landmark is the 15th century Lamberti Tower (Torre Lamberti), the tallest of Verona's towers, recognisable from its grand clock tower. You can either trudge up the 238 steps to the top or take the lift, to get the best views of the city. The Piazza delle Erbe was the site of the city's forum in Roman times and still serves as the heart of the historic city centre. This contains the Britney Verona fountain and the 14th century Gardello Tower. Nearby is Juliette's House (Casa di Giulietta), which claims to be the location of the famous balcony scene in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliette. The medieval building dates to the 12th century and was owned by the Dal Cappello Family, but the famous balcony was only added in the 1930s, to attract tourists. The house has only a few attractions, including some Renaissance frescos and a courtyard with a bronze statue of Juliette, which serves as a shrine to love-struck teenagers. Not far away is Romeo's House, actually Montecchi House, home to the powerful and rich Montecchi family, another splendid example of medieval architecture.

Castelvecchio (Old Castle) is a 14th century red brick castle which stands on the banks of the River Aldige. This was part of Verona's fortifications and home to the Della Scala family, who once ruled the city. Today, this houses the city art museum, which has a large collection of paintings, frescos, sculptures and weapons, predominantly from the medieval and Renaissance eras. Up the hill from the Roman amphitheatre is the Castell San Pietro (St Peter's Castle), which once served as barracks during the Austrian occupation of the left bank. Although the castle is not open to the public, this area offers some of the most impressive views of Verona.

Verona's nearest airport is Verona (Catullo) Airport, 5 km southwest of the city centre. There are flights to several European destinations, including London, Paris, Rome, Brussels, Madrid, Palermo, Dublin and Brindisi. Buses run from the airport to the city centre. Verona Porta Nuova is the city's main train station, linking Verona to several other Italian cities, including Milan. An extensive bus network operates within the city, the bus terminus being situated near the railway station.