Verona

Verona sits cradled in a deep bend in the Adige River, still crossed by a Roman Bridge that leads into its twisting Medieval streets. The Roman past is everywhere, and left Verona with one of its block-buster sights, a first-century arena that is one of the best preserved in all Rome’s vast former empire. Each summer it is the setting for one of Europe’s major opera festivals. Not far from the arena, a Renaissance castle adds its own fortified bridge to the river scenery. Inside, the castle has been redesigned by architect Carlo Scarpa as a museum for the city’s superb collection of art and antiquities. Of course Shakespeare’s tragic heroine ...

Verona sits cradled in a deep bend in the Adige River, still crossed by a Roman Bridge that leads into its twisting Medieval streets. The Roman past is everywhere, and left Verona with one of its block-buster sights, a first-century arena that is one of the best preserved in all Rome’s vast former empire. Each summer it is the setting for one of Europe’s major opera festivals. Not far from the arena, a Renaissance castle adds its own fortified bridge to the river scenery. Inside, the castle has been redesigned by architect Carlo Scarpa as a museum for the city’s superb collection of art and antiquities. Of course Shakespeare’s tragic heroine never existed, but in response to a never-ending stream of star-struck tourists seeking her, Verona has obliged with a series of “sights” that include her balcony (added to a house in the 1930s). Far better to spend time exploring Verona’s many authentic attractions, including its stellar collection of art-filled churches. Principal among these is San Zeno, whose magnificent bronze doors predate the present church. One of the finest Romanesque churches surviving in Italy, San Zeno contains frescoes by the Italian mannerist painter, Paolo Veronese.

About the Expert

Stillman Rogers has written more than two dozen guidebooks, including Adventure Guide to Canada's Atlantic Provinces, Guide to Eastern Canada, and Adventure Guide to the Chesapeake.