What to see in Verona
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What to see in Verona
Arena
This marvellous roman amphitheatre built in the 1st century AC is the symbol of the city. Only four arches and three levels of the outer walls have survived, while the second circle with 72 arches and two levels is intact. The oval-shaped interior has terraces ("cavea") formed of 44 steps that surround the stalls. It can hold twenty two thousand spectators. The name "arena" comes from the latin word for the sand used to cover the stalls area. It was lavishly embellished by sculptures, but unfortunately little of these remain. The most important examples are conserved in the Archaeological Museum (Museo Civico Archeologico).
In Roman times it was used for gladiator combat and wild animal "hunts" and throughout the medieval age for fairs and tournaments. In 1913 it became the most important open-air lyric theatre in the world and today in July and August hosts magnificent lyric performances.
Address and hours :
Anfiteatro Arena
Piazza Bra, tel. 0039.045. 8003204
Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm. Last entrance 6.30 pm; closed Monday.
During the lyric season, in the performance days, you can visit the Arena is from 9 am to 3.30 pm.
Lyric season information
Ufficio Stampa Fondazione Arena di Verona, phone 0039.045. 8051861
Box Office, phone 0039.045.8005151; fax 0039.045. 8013287
Web site: www.arena.it
Cathedral of Santa Maria Matricolare (Duomo):
The Cathedral is originally Romanesque (12th century) with gothic reworkings (15th century) and Renaissance additions. The façade has a magnificent two story porch decorated with relief by the master Nicolò (12th century) and the sixteenth century bell tower is by Sammicheli.
The inside is gothic and divided into three naves by high pink marble columns. In the chapels and presbytery, which is closed by a division of columns by Sammicheli, there are various 14-16th paintings and sculptures.
On the left of the cathedral is a Romanesque cloister with double columns which has the remains of a mosaic floor from the Early Christian basilica. From here one can enter the Romanesque chiesetta di S. Elena (S. Helen's Church)built on the remains of an Early Christian structure and the ancient Battistero di S. Giovanni in Fonte (St John's Baptistery) with an octagonal second century baptismal font.
Address and opening hours:
Cathedral of Santa Maria Matricolare
An admission fee applies. Different tickets are available for:
- the cathedral only
- the cathedral and the churches of San Zeno Maggiore, San Anastasia, San Lorenzo, San Fermo Maggiore
- the Cathedral and the Canonical Museum.
Opening hours: weekdays from 10.00 till 18.00, weekends and holidays from 13.00 till 18.00 – visits are not allowed during mass or other religious ceremonies.
Piazza delle Erbe (Market Square)
The piazza occupies the ancient site of the Roman Forum and for centuries has been the financial and political centre of the city. It is surrounded by old houses and towers and the central area, the "toloneo", is today occupied by the characteristic umbrellas of the daily market. Along the centre are the "colonna del mercato" (Market Column) from 1401, the berlina (the 16th century marble shrine used for the investiture of citizens elected for public duty - podestà or signori), the Madonna Verona fountain with its roman statue and the 1523 colonna di San.Marco (San Marco's Column).
On the left of the piazza is the 14th century Casa dei Mercanti (Merchants' house) with mullioned windows and crenellations. At the end of the piazza are the 1370 Torre del Gardello (Gardello Tower) and the baroque palazzo Maffe and on the right the 14-16th century Mazzanti houses (decorated with fifteenth century frescoes) and the 1470 Costa Arch, so called due to the whale rib that hangs from it, and though which one enters the Piazza dei Signori.
