Armchair Traveler
Verona (Italy)
There’s not enough room to do justice to Verona, one of Italy’s most romantic destinations. But let’s give it a go!
One of the city’s most famous attractions is the Verona Arena. This ancient Roman coliseum is almost 2,000 years old but still remarkably well preserved. Before the pandemic, its 22,000 seats were often filled by opera lovers. Crowds are returning, and the 2022 season features classics such as La Boheme and Aida. During the day, take a guided tour and imagine you’re in ancient Rome watching the gladiator fights.
Don’t miss a visit to Verona’s “old castle,” the Castelvecchio. It was built to defend the Scaliger dynasty in the 14th century, but is now a museum. It has an eclectic selection of artwork, including an avant-garde statue of Jesus on the cross from 1960 and some lovely pieces from the Middle Ages.
(eclectic = including things taken from many different sources)
The castle connects to the Castelvecchio Bridge, which was destroyed by the Nazis before being restored, most recently in the 1960s.
When lovers of Shakespeare think of Verona, they think of the Montagues and the Capulets. They were based on real families, and many people come to a house some 10 minutes’ walk from the arena to see the famous balcony where Romeo wooed Juliet. Did the house really belong to the Capulets? It hardly seems to matter. Below the balcony, people put up love letters and lockets. The courtyard has a bronze statue of Juliet, and you can rub it for luck in love.
Finally, there’s just enough space to recommend the Piazza Delle Erbe ― a lovely place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. (T)
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