A very narrow cobblestoned street called Via Mazzini which goes down to the city center, where 'Piazza delle Erbe' sits. Ttis is a pedestrian only street, as you can see in the photo. On this street you will find some of the most fashionable shops in Italy, where you can buy the best and of course very expensive "Italian designed" clothes.
And Dante's Sculpture and, behind, the ‘Loggia del Consiglio’ building. This Renaissance building (1476-1493) is the most beautiful building of its times in Verona. It’s a mixture of Tuscany’s elegance and Veneto’s values.In 'Piazza dei Signori' there’s also Dante’s Café, the only café in Verona that preserves the 19th century traditional style.
Me at the gardens with the musem (we didn't go into!) in the background.. and another 35 degree day at that
Me again.. on the bridge over the river with the belltower and view of the outer city in the background. This stone bridge dates from the Roman Empire times (Augustus). The bridge has been reconstructed several times. The first time was in 1298 when the archs that are closer to us were reconstructed by Alberto della Scala. The bridge was almost completely destroyed in 1945 in the second World War, but was perfectly reconstructed (with its original stones) soon after. The bridge was constructed for defensive reasons, but it is also a very beautiful work, and a middle age Engineering master piece. Its biggest arch is 48 meters big. The bridge has suffered many modifications.
mmmm ... what I could do with those handcuffs in the town square.. a trifle public maybe for what I had in mind
the third oldest ampitheatre in the world... we went inside but couldnt get into everything as they were getting set up for a performance of La Traviata that night. Tte Roman Amphitheater is known as The Arena and was constructed in the first century outside the city walls, but in the third century the walls were extended to include this arena. This Roman Theater is one of the biggest (and best preserved) theaters from the Roman Empire times. There’s place for more than 22,000 spectators. Unfortunately only part of the original facade remains. Although the building is now used for operas (such as La Traviata the night we were there) and other cultural shows, its original use was (as you can imagine) crueler: the famous Gladiators fights.
a view of the castle up the narrow street... pity about the bloody truck in the way This Castle (Castelvecchio means old castle) was built in 1354-1355. The Castle has suffered many modifications. The many invasions this city has suffered have left their fingerprints in this construction: the Visconti, the Venetian, the French and the Austrian domination changed parts of the castle. Napoleon constructed a courtyard inside its walls. Recent restorations have recovered parts of its original design.
and me still.. on the drawbridge... there was definitely water still in the moat!
the main arch in the centre of the historical village square known as .Piazza delle Erbe' and is one of the most picturesque squares in Italy (or so the guide books tell me!). In this square they hold a popular and colorful market which was busy the day we were there and I bought, for NZ$5 a glass of fresh fruit all chopped up ready to eat .. grapes, melon and strawberries and delicious The tower in the background (which is hard to fit in on my piddly little camera) is the Tower Lamberti which is the highest tower in Verona, it’s 83 meters high. Its construction began in 1172 and it took several centuries to finish. The octagonal end of the tower still holds the old ‘Rengo’ and ‘Marangona’ bells (1464).. We left on the Friday and spent a few hours in Verona of Romeo and Juliet fame!!
It was just amazing.. there was so much history there and it was soo clean and well looked after. The City itself must spend a fortune on its upkeep as .. well you had to be there I guess.. but absolutely amazing.
The third largest ancient ampitheatre in the world is there where, today, it is used regularly for shows such as La Boheme, La Traviata and the like. The balcony of Romeo and Juliet fame is a mecca for tourists.. and a photo we did take!!
The drawbridge over the 11th C castle is still there and the moat hadnt even dried up. However it was bloody hot and humid still so after a few hours wandering around we moved on to visit George at Lake Como.
