Background
Founded in the 1st century BC, Verona flourished under the Scaliger family in the 13th and 14th centuries and as part of the Republic of Venice from the 15th to the 18th. UNESCO says it preserves a remarkable number of monuments from antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and is an outstanding example of a military stronghold.
The Roman Arena still hosts the summer opera season. The earthquake of 1117 wrecked the ancient city, so most of what stands dates from the past 800 years, while the Roman city lies six metres below. Three of Shakespeare's plays are set here.
- 89 BCVerona becomes a Roman colony
- 1st c. ADThe Arena is built
- 1117An earthquake wrecks the ancient city
- 13th–14th c.The della Scala family rules; new walls and monuments
- 15th–18th c.Part of the Republic of Venice
- 2000Inscribed as World Heritage
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1Verona ArenaThe Roman amphitheatre on Piazza Bra, home of the summer opera festival.
- 2Piazza delle ErbeThe market square, with the Torre dei Lamberti to climb.
- 3CastelvecchioThe Scaliger castle, its museum and fortified bridge.
- 4San ZenoThe Romanesque basilica with bronze doors and a Mantegna altarpiece.
- 5Juliet's HouseThe medieval house with the balcony added in the 1930s.
- 6Castel San PietroThe funicular to the best view over the river bend.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
Arena to the River
From the GoGo Verona guide · Open the Verona Guide ›
- 09:30Verona Arena75 minThe Roman amphitheatre.
- 11:00Piazza delle Erbe45 minThe market square.
- 12:00Juliet's House30 minThe balcony.
- 12:45Torre dei Lamberti45 minThe tower view.
- 14:30Castelvecchio Museum and Bridge90 minThe Scaliger castle.
- 17:30Castel San Pietro Viewpoint1 hrBy funicular to the river bend.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Typical highs
Climate: NASA POWER
Pair It With
Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance
