The Adige river adds to the romantic ambience of Verona. Near the river's banks, one will find fascinating cloisters, museums, theatres, and gardens which are just a few of the city's well preserved treasures.
1) Ponte Aleardi
Ponte Aleardi is a Roman landmark near the Adige which was built in 1879 after the construction of the Ponte Navi. Ponte Aleardi is the greatest link between the center of Verona and the Cimitero Monumentale.
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2) Cimitero Monumentale
Cimitero Monumentale is a monumental cemetery that was designed by Giuseppe Barbieri in 1829. The burial ground was built to consolidate several burial places into one location. It was also constructed to adhere to Napoleonic rules that all burial places must be located outside the city. It is the final resting place of Emilio Salgari, Umberto Boccioni, Lionello Fiumi, Berto Barbarani, Michele Sammicheli, Carlo Montanari, and Franz von Scholl.
The site reflects a Neo-Doric influence. The square-shaped structure is divided into four sections and has a monumental entrance and beautiful sculptures. It is said the inspiration for the many sculptures comes from Antonio Canova who designed the statues for the tomb of Pope Clement XIII. Most of the tombs are numbered to make finding them easier.
Nearby attractions, within 37 to 60 kilometers, include the Tomba di Giulietta, Chiesa di San Fermo, the Ponte Navi, and the Porta Leoni. The Accademia, Mastino, Colomba D'Oro, and San Luca Hotels provide affordable lodgings for tourists. In addition, they are located no more than 93 kilometers from the Cimitero Monumentale. It is open from 9 am to sunset in the winter and from 9 am to 6 pm the rest of the year.
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3) Museo Civico Di Storia Naturale
There is so much to see and learn when you visit Verona’s many museums. The city’s galleries display art, history, archaeological findings, technology, radio, and natural history. There are even museums dedicated to its most famous lovers, Romeo and Juliet. One particular exhibition hall worth visiting is the Museo Civico Di Storia Naturale, located inside of the Palazzo Lavegola Pompei, a building designed by Michele Sanmicheli.
Museo Civico began in the 1800s when Giuseppe de Cristoforis donated his collections to the city. In addition, many of the museum’s items come from the townspeople who donated them to the gallery. The edifice is the perfect place to be if you enjoy looking at specimens from millions of years ago. It is also a good learning experience for children.
The exhibition hall displays plants, animals, fossils, and minerals. It is best known for the fossils of Bolca, the most well-preserved marine fossils in the world. The collection is the only one of its kind in Italy. In addition, items from the Paleolithic and Neolithic sites in the city are displayed in the museum. They are open Saturday to Thursday, from 9 am to 7 pm, from October, and from 10 am to 5:30 pm from May, June to September.
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4) Teatro Romano
The Teatro Romano is an ancient theater that was built during the first century. It is well-known for its many concerts, music performances, and ballets. It is the one of the oldest monuments in Verona. The theater seats 25,000 people.
For centuries, the ruins of the theater were buried underneath residences which had been constructed on the property. In 1834, Andrea Monga bought the houses and began the renovation process. It is because of his efforts that the structure was saved.
In 1904, the city purchased the area and continued renovations until the 1970s. Although most of the structure was lost due to the ravages of time, the cavea, tier of seats, several arches of loggias, and parts of the stage and the old theater survived. One can truly take a step back in time when visiting the Teatro Romano and imagine its many great performances.
The theater is well-known for its Shakespeare Festival held from June to August each year. Jazz concerts in May, plays in June, and ballets in August are just a few of the treats you will enjoy. Admission is free the first Sunday of each month. Other attractions near the theater include the Museo Archeologico Nazionale Di Spoleto, the Basilica di San Salvatore, and the Tower's Bridge.
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5) Piazzale Castel San Pietro
Verona has some of the most beautiful castles in the world. They were built to allow its inhabitants to protect and defend themselves, but also provided a luxurious standard of living that few outside of the palace walls ever experienced.
The Pizzale Castel San Pietro is an ancient fortress built atop the ruins of a viscount’s castle. It was built by Giangaleazzo Visconti in 1398 and was originally joined to the continuous wall around the Socorso. It sits on top of a hill that provides an excellent panoramic view of the city, especially when the sun is going down. Some of the buildings you will see from the San Pietro include the Santa Sofia, San Leonardo, and the San Mattia Castles.
One of the advantages of the San Pietro is that is fairly close to several attractions. The Museo Archeologico del Teatro Romano, the SS. Siro e Libera¸ the San Giovanni in Valle, the Mostra Permanente Africana, the Palazzo del Vescovado, the Ponte della Pietra, the Sant'Anastasia, the San Giorgio in Braida, the Santa Maria in Organo, the Sant' Elena, the Duomo Santa Maria Matricolare, and the Biblioteca Capitolare are just a few of the sites within walking distance of the castle.
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6) Chiesa Santa Maria in Organo
Verona is a city with a rich history and that richness shows in its history, art, and its places of worship. In fact, many of the churches in the city contain museum-worthy artwork. The Chiesa Santa Maria in Orango is such a place.
The eighth century place of worship was designed by Michele Sanmicheli. It is the former home of a Benedictine abbey and parish of the Patriarchate of Aquleia. The church was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1117 and also during the fifteenth and sixteenth century. Located on the Piazzetta Santa, it is the oldest house of worship in the city and a very popular tourist attraction.
The interior of the church features a Latin cross plan with a nave and two aisles and contains the artwork of Girolamo Savoldo, Domenico Morone, Francesco Morone, and Antonio Balestra. Giovanni da Verona designed the bell tower and Nicole Goelfine and Francesco Caroto designed the frescoes. It has one of the oldest organs in the region. The exterior of the building, which was never finished, is tuff, white brick, and marble. The church is open daily from 8 am to noon and from 2:30 pm to 6 pm. They open at 9 am on the weekends.
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7) Museo Africano
Verona is a city that is well known for its many museums. In fact, most of the city’s galleries are located within walking distance of each other. One recommended exhibition hall that one should visit when in the city is the Museo Africano.
The Museo Africano was created by the Comboni Fathers, a group of Colombian missionaries, in 1938. The objective of the museum is to promote knowledge of Africa through the display of musical instruments, objects of worship, games, artwork and other items that reflect the daily life of African people.
In addition to the exhibits that feature work from countries such as Gabon, Nigeria, and other sub-Saharan countries, the gallery also offers several education programs such as MaskAfrica - Mask yourself too!, Animals on Stage, and Toys of the World Four to educate students about the dark continent.
Over 20,000 items, including a film library, are available for visitors to enjoy. To truly appreciate the tour, it is recommended that patrons purchase the museum guidebook that gives an overview of African culture, religion, and family. The museum is located on Vicolo Pozzo and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm on Sunday. They are closed on Monday.
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8) Giardini Giusti
Located near a palace with the same name, the Giusti Garden is an exquisite collection of cypress trees, fountains, moss and water lilies. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy. The grounds were constructed in the sixteenth century and were converted into the design that we see today in the nineteenth century.
You must view the estate in person to truly appreciate its beauty. Italians are known for creating some of the most attractive Renaissance gardens in Europe and the Guisti lives up to that reputation. Mozart, Goethe, and royalty all visited the oasis and walked past the eye-catching maze of flowerbeds and through the cypress-lined paths. Visitors will enjoy the marvelously landscaped lawns and sculptured hedgerows, gorgeous terraces and staircases, marble statues, and fountains.
It is difficult to imagine that such a beautiful space could not only experience extensive damage during the second war, but recover from it so effortlessly. From the summit of the hill, one can enjoy a beautiful of the surrounding city. The garden is open Monday through Sunday from 9 am to sunset in the Winter, Spring, and Summer and from 9 am to 6 pm Monday through Sunday in the Fall.
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