Piazza Bra (Bra Square), Verona (must see)

Bra Square, often simply called “La Bra”, is the largest and most prominent square in Verona. Positioned at the edge of the historic center, it acts as a welcoming entrance to the city’s most celebrated landmarks. Its name derives from the Lombard word braida, meaning “wide open space”, a reminder of when this area lay just beyond the Roman city walls, used as an open field for markets and gatherings.

The square began to develop its current shape in the Middle Ages, as Verona expanded outward from the ancient core. Over the centuries, noble families and city authorities commissioned grand residences and civic buildings around the perimeter. By the 17th and 18th centuries, the area had transformed into an elegant public space, reflecting influences from Palladian and later Neoclassical styles. It has hosted everything from military parades to community celebrations and remains one of the busiest civic squares in northern Italy.

The dominant feature of the square is the Verona Arena, a 1st-century Roman amphitheater renowned for its impressive state of preservation and exceptional acoustics. Nearby stands Barbieri Palace, Verona’s neoclassical City Hall, completed in the mid-19th century, and Gran Guardia Palace, a large 17th-century building that now serves as a venue for major exhibitions and cultural events.

Visitors can stroll along the Liston, the marble-paved walkway lined with cafés and restaurants — a popular place to sit outdoors and enjoy the atmosphere. On the southern side, small green gardens provide shaded seating and feature monuments such as the Bersaglieri Monument, dedicated to Italy’s historic light infantry regiment. Traces of the ancient Roman walls and later fortifications remain are also visible.