Verona's Palaces (Self Guided), Verona

The Palazzo del Podestà , or government palace, is a medieval palace in Verona, which is located between Piazza dei Signori and the Scaliger Arches . The palace was built by the Scaligeri , on top of the Roman ruins (it is located near the Roman forum, today Piazza delle Erbe ), and was inhabited at the end of the construction by Alberto I della Scala .

Many illustrious men found hospitality in the palace, including prominent personalities such as Dante and Giotto , who according to Giorgio Vasari made some portraits of Cangrande I , which however have not been found. Dante Alighieri , an exile from Florence , was hosted in his second stay in this building: in fact, Piazza dei Signori , which it overlooks, is also called by the Veronese "Piazza Dante", and in the center of the square there is a statue of the poet.

With the fall of the Scala dynasty , the Palace became, during the Republic of Venice , the seat of important magistrates. There were also the offices of the podestà, from which it took its name. In 1404 , they opened a new portal and added above the lion of San Marco adorned in 1533 by Michele Sanmicheli .

The Palazzo della Ragione is a historic palace in Verona, located between Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori.

The construction works of Palazzo della Ragione began in 1193 and after three years they must have already been well advanced if in 1196 in some documents the presence of a Palacium Communis Veronae is mentioned. The palace was presented as a sober, simple and fortified structure. Originally it had to be completed by four corner towers; in addition to the Torre dei Lamberti , there was that of the Chapel or Torrazzo, located in the corner between piazza delle Erbe and the current via Cairoli, and the tower of the Masseria, in the corner between today's via Cairoli and via Dante. For the general architectural balance, another corner tower probably had to be built on the corner between via Dante and piazza dei Signori, of which, however, no documentation remains.

In 1493, when the City Council definitively passed into the Loggia in Piazza dei Signori , the Palazzo, as the seat of the main judicial body, changed its name to Palazzo della Ragione.

Around the end of the 16th century a grain market was placed in the courtyard of the building, over which the Venetian rectors were in control. The famine and the subsequent epidemic of 1576 determined a further change in the functions of the courtyard of Palazzo della Ragione which acquired the name of “Mercato Vecchio” to differentiate itself from the new grain market in Piazza Bra. The Palazzo market was used as a warehouse for the sale of flours for poor families, probably organized in a series of small warehouses with a shop counter on which flour was sold at a controlled price.

Tourists can enter Cortile Mercato vecchio, the oldest market yard in the city, which includes a beautiful Gothic staircase made of pink marble. Individuals may also enjoy various exhibits and/or free concerts held throughout the year.

Palazzo Maffei is a historical palace in Verona, on the north-western side of Piazza delle Erbe. A building existed in the current location in the 15th century, but on 20 December 1469 the nobleman Marcantonio Maffei decided to expand it by adding a third floor. Construction works ended only in 1668.

The three-floor façade of the palace is in Baroque style. It starts at a slightly higher level than the square: seen underneath are the remains of the ancient Roman Capitoline Hill, where the Piazza delle Erbe later was settled.

The first floor has five arcades between tympani. Over each arcade a window with an elegant balcony is placed, separated by Ionic semi-columns decorated by large masks.

The third floor is in the same style as the second, but with smaller windows and fake framed columns. The top of the façade is designed as a balustrade with six statues of divinities: Hercules, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, Apollo and Minerva. The latter are cut from local marble, with the exception of the Hercules, which is believed to have come from an ancient temple once located on the Roman Capitoline Hill.

The interior is home to a bizarre helicoidal stone staircase, that leads from the underground stores all the way up to the roof.

Located on Corso Cavour is the majestic and beautiful Palazzo Bevilacqua. It was built by architect and engineer Michele Sanmicheli in the 1530s. The fortress is named after an important Italian noble family. Sanmicheli also designed the Palazzo Pompei, the Palazzo Canossa, the Cappella Pellegrini, and the Ponte Nuovo. The building now serves as the headquarters of the state technical institute of Ippolito Pindemonte and hosts art collections from Marco Bevilacqua and Veronese operas.

The building reflects the richness and texture of Bramante design. Large and small bays grace the structure while fluting decorates the keystones, cornices, and arches. As you enter the front doors of the palace, you are greeted by a courtyard that leads to the main living quarters. The ground level of the edifice is stone and is divided by low windows and pillars that feature the busts of Roman warriors. The top floor has a large balcony that is decorated with Greek-style ledges.

Other attractions within walking distance of the Via Palazzo include the Villa InCanto Opera Lirica, the Byblos Art Gallery, the Santi Apostoli, the Monumento a Aleardo Aleardi, the Itaca Gallery, the S. Lorenzo, the Museo d'arte, the Astra, and the Arco dei Gavi.

Italy boasts some of the most beautiful palaces in the world and the Palazzo dei Diamanti, or the Palace of Diamonds, follows in this tradition. The impressive structure was designed by Biagio Rosetti and built in 1495. It is very similar in appearance to the fortress in Ferrara that shares the same name. Like many other buildings, the Palazzo suffered extensive damage from World War II and was renovated in 1950.

The building receives it name from the thousands of white marble diamond-shaped stones, of varying sizes, that cover the exterior of the building. The effect that light has on the multi-faceted outer walls does give one the impression that they are looking at diamonds.

The palace includes a portal that has Doric columns on both sides and two mullioned windows on the main floor. Currently, it is the headquarters of AGEC. The building reflects the influence of designer Michele Sanmicheli.

The best way to enjoy the palace is by taking a self-guided walking tour. Other royal residences you can walk to include the Palazzo del Mercato Vecchio, the Palazzo Bevilacqua, the Porta Leoni, the Palazzo dei Diamanti, the Porta Borsari, the Palazzo Canossa, the Palazzo Canossa, and the Ponte Scaligero.

The Palazzo Barbieri is home to Verona’s city council. The palace is in front of the Piazza Bra where many shops, restaurants, bars, and other important historical buildings are located. Engineer Guiseppe Barbieri built the palace which was intended for military use. Construction began on the yellow-colored stone Neo-Classical structure in 1836 and was completed in 1848. It was originally named the Gran Guardia Nova.

The building was used by the Habsburgs during the war as their base for Austrian troops. Once the war ended, the building became the headquarters for the city government. The structure was damaged during World War II. Reconstruction began in 1945 and was completed in 1950. The renovation added a rounded back to the building as well as making it larger.

Other attractions one can enjoy while visiting the palazzo include the SS. Nazaro e Celso, the Rivoli, the Teatro Filarmonico, the Listòn, the Museo Lapidario, the APT Arena, the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II, and the San Luca.

Those wishing to get a quick bite can try the cuisine at Liston 12, Trattoria Malavoglia, L'Oste Scuro, Il Cenacolo, Trattoria Cappuccini, or the Silver Star. The palace is often the site of weddings and is open 24 hours a day Sunday through Saturday.

The Palazzo della Gran Guardia is a grand palace that hosts conferences and art exhibitions. It is the former headquarters and registered offices of the city guard. The building was constructed in 1610 and was completed in 1853. The building, which features majestic arches, was designed by Domenico Curtoni. Cutroni’s work shows the influence of fellow designer Michele Sanmicheli. It is located next to the Portoni della Bra on the Piazza Bra, the largest city square in Verona.

Recent exhibitions include the works of Mantega, Mantua, and Padua. The Piazza Bar has many popular cafes, restaurants, and shops that visitors can enjoy. The Verona Arena, an amphitheater that can seat up 22,000 people, is a short distance away.

After viewing the stunning palace, one should also pass through the Via Mazzini to watch the Veronese perform the passeggiata, a ritual leisurely walk through one of Verona’s most elegant shopping avenues.

Whether you are attending a wine tasting event, business seminar, or an exhibition on eighteenth century paintings, the Palazzo della Gran Guardia has something for everyone and will not disappoint. Hotels within walking distance include the Le Camp Spa and Resort, the Verdi, the Europa, the Diamantino, and the Majestic Toscanelli.

The Palazzo Canossa is a stone palace that was designed by Michele Sanmicheli in 1527. Although construction began in the sixteenth century, the building was not completed until the seventeenth century. It is located between the Porta Borsari and Castello Scaligero and is a very popular tourist destination. The structure design reflects a Mannerist style. It is one of four buildings that designer built in the city.

Like many structures in the city, the building suffered some damage during World War II. Although frescoes by artist Gian Battista Tiepolo were lost during the bombing of Verona, many other elements remain.

Visitors will enjoy viewing the doorway that is decorated with marble columns, a portico, framed arched windows, and a gallery that is festooned with mythological creatures. Alexander I of Russia, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Francis I of Austria are just a few of the famous visitors who have graced the palace halls.

The palace is located near many interesting sites. Other attractions near the Palazzo Canossa that you can enjoy include the Arco dei Gavi, the Palazzo Scannagatti, the Basilica SS. Apostoli, the S. Lorenzo, the Museo Civico di Castelvecchio, the Byblos Art Gallery, the Palazzo Bevilacqua, and the Ponte Scaligero.