O, Romeo, Romeo! In other words... Verona (Italy)

Trip Details
Where: Verona, Italy
When: 3rd October 2011

 During our trip to Venice, me and my friends thought we couldn't miss seeing Verona too. We took the train and in a couple of hours we were there. We bought the typical tourist maps and started following the circled numbers' paths.

Number one was Arena di Verona. They actually use it for concerts and other performances. We didn't get in, because there were some renovations, but here's how it looks on the outside:

Arena di Verona

Next was a castle, called Castelvecchio,

Castelvecchio

which is the most important military monument there. It belonged to the Scaliger dynasty that ruled the city in the Middle Ages.

On our way to the next sight, we went through an ancient Roman gate - Porta Borsari:

Porta Borsari

On the other side of that gate and on the north-western side of Piazza delle Erbe was another castle - Pallazo Maffei:

Pallazo Maffei

Piazza delle Erbe is also known as the Market Square. As we were walking through it, there was a guy inviting people to a restaurant. He was like: 'Buongiorno! Buongiorno!' when suddenly he said 'Добър ден!' (Good afternoon in Bulgarian) I asked my friend: 'Did he just say 'Добър ден?' She answered 'That's what I was wondering.' And a voice came form behind: 'Почуди се още малко и ще разбереш.' (Keep wondering and you'll find out.)

In the middle of the square the Madonna di Verona Fountain raises.

Madonna di Verona Fountain

On the fountain's right is the tallest tower in Verona - Torre dei Lamberti.

Torre dei Lamberti

We wandered around the market for a bit, bought some fridge magnets and continued. Our next stop was the one we'd been looking forward to. The House of Juliet.

Casa di Giulietta

The walls on both sides of the entrance were all covered in inc and stickers. According to a superstition if you stick your & your beloved one's names with a gum there you'll love each other forever.

Casa di Giulietta

Once we got in the famous balcony where Juliet used to dream about Romeo and Romeo climbed to be with her rose above our heads.

Casa di Giulietta

And below the balcony was a statue of Juliet herself.

Statue of Juliet

Another superstition says that you have to touch Juliet's boob for luck.

 

We got in the house to live through our Juliet moment and go out on her balcony. (Yes, you can do that.)

 

Inside we found wooden stands with parts of Shakespeare's play, some requisite from an old Romeo and Juliet movie and other interesting items about them. But the most intriguing one was the Juliet's Club's room.

Juliet's Club

Have you seen the movie 'Letters to Juliet'? About a girl who goes to Juliet's house and meets some other girls/women from Juliet's club who respond to the love letters left on the walls? Well, it turns out you can actually write Juliet a letter. 

 

After Juliet's we found Romeo's house.

Casa di Romeo

You can't go in unfortunately and there are no walls to stick anything with gums. But the seem to have lived close to each other.

As we continued following our path we saw many different statues, towers, churches.. But I'll skip to the next most impressive sight - Castel S. Pietro and Teatro Romano on the other side of the river.

Castel S. Pietro & Teatro Romano, view from Ponte di Pietra

We decided to go up to the castle, where the view was spectacular.

View from Castel S. Pietro

Our last stop was at Tombe di Giulietta (Juliet's Tomb). I should tell you about our creepy experience there. We found it (at Shakespeare street) and entered the yard. We looked around - no tomb was in view so we went into a small building on the left. There was a sign that said 'free access'. Once inside, we found a girl at a desk. 'Excuse me, hi, where exactly is the tomb?', I asked. 'Right over there in the garden', she said and pointed to a door on the right. 'Do we need tickets?' 'Yes.' Okaay.. We bought the tickets and she said 'Go up the stairs on the left.' Me and my friend shared a confused look but we followed the instructions. On the second floor there was a museum. Two ladies were standing there. We were the only visitors so one led us to a room full of sculptures. We walked around and she followed our every step. Weird. We said nothing. The other lady then pointed to another room. While we were in it they were both watching us. As if they were worried we would break something or I don't know. Then we went down some stairs and just when we thought that should be the way to the garden we ended up in another room. Bigger than the other two.. something like an altar. Another lady and a man in a wheel chair were there. And they also followed us. I could feel their breaths behind me. We got out as soon as possible and finally reached the garden. I can't really tell you what was inside the museum. I was looking over my shoulder on my every step, expecting an attack. Too creeped out.

Once in the garden we easily found the tomb, which was pretty small:

Juliet's Tomb

And that's where our tour ended. Well, we did get out and head back to Venice, stopping in Padua on the way, but that's another story. 

Verona was quite charming in general. Very welcoming and somehow cosy. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Hope you will too.