Volto Barbaro (Barbarian Face Passage), Verona

Just steps behind the colourful Mazzanti Houses lies the Barbarian Face Passage, a narrow vaulted alley dating back to the Middle Ages. This dimly lit corridor was once one of several shortcuts that helped merchants move efficiently through Verona’s busy market district. Its enclosed structure and centuries-old walls preserve the authentic atmosphere of the historic centre.

The origin of its name remains uncertain. Some believe it comes from a carved stone face — a “barbarian” mask — that once decorated the vault. Others suggest the name recalls foreign merchants and “outsiders” who frequented the marketplace. Whatever its source, the name enhances the alley’s mysterious character, making it a place where imagination easily takes hold.

The passage has been embraced in connection with Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. A plaque on the façade of Carlotti Palace commemorates the fictional duel in which Tybalt kills Mercutio — the turning point that propels Romeo toward tragedy. The bronze relief depicts the dramatic scene and serves as a reminder of how literary legend has become embedded in Verona’s real urban fabric.

The plaque also acknowledges the earlier work of Matteo Bandello, a Lombard writer whose 16th-century novella told the story of two ill-fated Veronese lovers long before Shakespeare adapted the tale. His version helped shape the narrative that ultimately made Verona famous as the “city of love”.