Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore (San Zeno Maggiore Church), Verona

Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore (San Zeno Maggiore Church), Verona (must see)

The Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore was constructed between 967 and 1398 AD. It features Romanesque architecture and is famed as the site of Romeo and Juliet's marriage.

The Basilica was built on the site where Saint Zeno was buried after his death in 371. Zeno of Verona was the eighth bishop of Verona. The Basilica was built with distinctive cream-colored tuff.

On the left, the early 13th-century monastery is built with red brick. To the right of the Basilica, visitors will see the slender 12th-century bell tower.

Master Briolato designed the stunning rose window, shaped as "the wheel of fortune." Underneath the rose window, 12th-century bronze doors show an exorcism scene.

A Roman tomb in the wall of the Basilica is thought to hold the remains of King Pipin.

The interior features 12th to 15th-century frescoes. Visitors will also find a marble 12th-century statue of San Zeno. Mantegna's 1459 altarpiece depicts Majesty of the Virgin.

A crypt lies beneath the main altar, where Saint Zeno's corpse is located in a transparent sarcophagus.

Tip:
Make sure to use the audio guide (included in admission) – it is excellent on details.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Verona. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore (San Zeno Maggiore Church) on Map

Sight Name: Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore (San Zeno Maggiore Church)
Sight Location: Verona, Italy (See walking tours in Verona)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Verona, Italy

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