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Walking in Verona, Verona
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Walking in Verona
Guide Location: Italy » Verona
Guide Type: Self-guided city tour
# of Attractions: 9
Tour Duration: 1 hour(s)
Transportation Mode: by foot
Travel Distance: 2.2 km
Image Courtesy of Flickr and *Debs*
Author: Helen
Verona is a fantastic city to visit when in Italy. The city embodies Italian romance with gorgeous castles, cloisters, and other architectural hot spots. The heritage of Verona is well preserved and one of the many reasons the city is so special.
Tour Stops and Attractions
Arco della Costa
1) Arco della Costa
Arco della Costa is located between the Piazza Erbe and Piazza dei Signori. The arch was erected in 1470 and showcases a curved rib under the arch; which is similar to that of the Almenno in Bergamo. Some people say that the rib is from a whale, while others disagree and claim the rib is from an ancient dragon.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Pentti Helenius
Santa Maria Antica Church
2) Santa Maria Antica Church
The Santa Maria Antica Church is a Roman Catholic cathedral that also served as the private house of worship of the Scala family who had a family plot on the property. The building features Romanesque design. The building was built in seventh century. It was rebuilt in 1185 after the earthquake of 1117. The interior of the church was remodeled in 1630 to reflect a Baroque influence. In the nineteenth century, the interior of the place of worship was restored to its original design.

The building features small windows, a tuff and brick exterior, and a small bell tower with lancet windows. The side door displays the arch of Cangrande I della Scala, an important warrior and autocrat. The place of worship has three naves and columns and curved arches. Many of the frescoes date back to the fourteenth century.

Thousands of tourists visit the church each year to view the beautiful Arche Scaligere, a group of five family tombs, located in the church courtyard. The funerary monuments are considered to one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Italy. The burial chambers contain the remains of influential Scala family members Cangrande I, Mastino II, Cansignorio, Alberto II, and Giovanni.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Lo Scaligero
Palazzo Forti
3) Palazzo Forti
Home to the Gallery of Modern Art, the Palazzo Forti is an impressive building that is located on a former Roman site. It is bordered by the Via Forti, the Via Massalongo, the Corso Sant’Anastasia, and the Vicolo Due Mori streets. It is also home to the famous Botanical museum the Achille Forti Collection, an extensive anthology of European and non-European microalgae.
The structure, built in the thirteenth century, was the residence of Ezzelino da Romano, the former ruler of the Veneto region. The building was converted into a residence building after Ezzelino’s death by his family. In the eighteenth century, architect Ignazio Pellegrinie remolded the building and gave it the look it has today.

In 1937, Achille Forti, the last descendant, donated the palace to the city of Verona. The palace was turned into a museum in accordance with Forti’s wishes. The museum operated for a year before being closed. When it reopened after the war, it was an art school and then administration offices for the town council. Except for a few shows in the 1960s, it was not until 1982 that the building became a fulltime museum again.

Since 1982, the palace has hosted art exhibitions from many different genres. Picasso, Alberto Abate, Vanessa Beecroft, Vasco Bendini, Cindy Sherman, Roberto Barni, Katherine Doyle, and Luigi Presicce, Porto Cesareo are just a few of the works you will enjoy when you visit.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Lo Scaligero
Biblioteca Capitolare
4) Biblioteca Capitolare
The Biblioteca Capitolare, once referred to as, the queen of Ecclesiastical collections, is a significant library that contains one of the most important religious literary collections in the world. It was founded in the fifth century as a writing place for the "Schola Sacerdotum Sanctae Veronesis Ecclesiae."

Before the advent of printing, it was necessary to have a scriptorium so that one had a place to copy the texts that were to become part of the library. It is located on the Piazza Duomo next to the Canonical Museum near the Stone Bridge and the Cathedral of Verona.

The library came into existence as Christianity was spreading across Europe and the existence of this building gave scholars a place to store important documents. The book repository contains over 1,500 manuscripts, legal, and civil documents.

Much of the collection came from donations. Important works such as the Virgilio, the Evangeliario Purpureo, Saint Augustine’s City of God, and parchments that date back to the 700s are just a few of the treasures the library contains. In addition, the most complete and up-to-date Roman code of law written by Gaius is available for viewing.

The library conducts exhibitions and conferences for the general public and training sessions for schools on a regular basis. Visiting hours are 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 4 pm to 6 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Interlibrary loan services are not available.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Lo Scaligero
Canonical Museum
5) Canonical Museum
The Canonical Museum offers a wide selection of paintings and sculptures from different centuries. The museum is situated in the cloister of Verona Cathedral. The entire collection shares a common theme of ancient history and sacred objects from various ages.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and faith goble
Ponte Pietra
6) Ponte Pietra
Romans are well-known for their contributions to art, literature, history, science, architecture, and engineering. One simply has to walk the city streets to see evidence of their accomplishments that still stand today. The Ponte Pietra, or Marble Bridge, is one of many examples of Roman excellence. The bridge is the oldest overpass in Verona. Although it dates back to 89 BC, it was actually completed in 100 BC. The viaduct is made of Tavertine brick, has five spans, is 120 meters long, and crosses the Adige River. The bridge offers picturesque views of the city and is a popular meeting spot for the locals, tourists, and lovers. The Ponte Pietra has endured many traumas, but has recovered each time. The bridge experienced a flood, was destroyed in the sixteenth century, and blown up by the Germans in 1945. In addition, the bridge collapsed in 1007, 1153, 1232, and 1239. Each time, the bridge was repaired and life moved on. Other attractions you can enjoy after visiting the bridge include the Biblioteca Capitolare, the Duomo S. Maria Matricolare, the Verona's Cathedral, the Teatro Romano, and the Museo Archeologico. For those who wish to stay overnight near the Marble Bridge, the S. Giorgio in Braida provides business center services, dining, Internet access, meeting rooms, room and shuttle service at a low cost.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Fabio Becchelli
Sight description based on wikipedia
Chiesa di Santo Stefano
7) Chiesa di Santo Stefano
Located on the banks of Adige River, the Chiesa di Santo Stefano, was the Cathedral of Verona until the eighth century when it was renovated to repair extensive deterioration. The church sits atop the ruins of a church that was built in the fifth century. An earthquake destroyed the building in 1117 and the cathedral was rebuilt. The church was named after St. Stephen who was a deacon of the early Jerusalem church.

The Chiesa di Santo Stefano contains many beautiful works of arts and frescoes by the artist Pasquale Ottino, who also designed the altarpiece. The house of worship is home to the Enunciation and Coronation of the Virgin, by Martino da Verona.

The church reflects a Romanesque design. The exterior of the building is brick and tuff and has a rose window, large arches, and one large central cross. The bell tower is octagonal in shape and made of brick. The interior of the church has three naves and a gallery. There is also a chapel, built between 1618 and 1621, that was dedicated to the Saints Innocenti. Other attractions within walking distance include the Ponte Pietra, the Palazzo del Vescovado, the Teatro Romano, and the Chiesa di San Giorgio in Braida.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and OrbiliusMagister
San Giorgio in Braida
8) San Giorgio in Braida
The San Giorgio in Braida is a Roman Catholic Church located near the Adige River. The church sits atop the ruins of an eighth century place of worship that was dedicated to St. George. It was converted into a Benedictine monastery in the eleventh century. It was built between 1536 and 1543 by architect and engineer Michele Sanmicheli, one of the greatest of his era. He also designed the Palazzo Pompei, the Palazzo Canossa, the Palazzo Bevilacqua, the Cappella Pellegrini, and the Ponte Nuovo. Italian churches are not only known for their beautiful design, but also for works of art inside of them. The building has one nave and eight chapels that are divided into two parts by two pillars. It is topped by a Renaissance dome and belltower also designed by Sanmicheli. The house of worship houses Paolo Veronese’s Martyrdom of St. George, Tintorette’s painting of the Baptism of Christ, and statues of St. George and St. Lorenzo by Giustiniani. In addition, the church is decorated with works of art from artists such as Caroto, Brusasorci and Girolamo dai Libri. The church is near the Villa InCanto Opera Lirica, the Villa in Canto, and the Church Santa Maria in Organo.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Errabee
Sight description based on wikipedia
Santuario Madonna di Lourdes
9) Santuario Madonna di Lourdes
Santuario della Madonna di Lourdes is located on the hills of St. Leonard. The building offers plenty of photo opportunities and is one of the greatest sightseeing stops in Verona. The church is modern, but still very pretty. Tourisits admire the colorful gardens and small pathways which lead to the Adige River.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Lo Scaligero
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