For the past two thousand years and more, the city walls enclose a unique and breathtaking range of art-works and monuments.
Verona is a work of art in itself: a fascinating cross-roads of historical periods and cultures (both classical and Germanic), a blend of both Nordic and “Mediterranean” influences; the city is at the same time both ancient and modern.
A walk through its narrow streets allows you to get in touch with its fascinating past such as its medieval structure dating back to the time of knights and castles and its magnificent Renaissance palaces.
Arena
The Arena, Verona’s most famous monument, visited by tourists world-wide.
If you contemplate it in silence, it’s not difficult to imagine it crammed with spectators as in Roman times: all you need do is shut your eyes or go to see one of the splendid opera performances held here and the Arena will come magically to life.
Situated in Piazza Bra’, the Amphitheatre was built in the first half of the 1st century a.D., in the period which marked the end of Augustus’ reign and the beginning of that of Claudius.
It is the third largest amphitheatre in Italy, after the Colosseum and the amphitheatre of Capua.
Its shape produces perfect acoustics from every physical stand point in the arena and enhances its capacity to accommodate a great number of people.
Performances used to take place in the centre of the amphitheatre, the “harena” (hence the name) or the area covered in sand where gladiatorial combats were held, the sand being used to absorb the blood of gladiators and animals.
In its “platea” and “cavea” the amphitheatre could contain 30.000 people. The amphitheatre consists of three concentric rings: only a brief section of the external ring remains, called “Ala”.
The facade was built in limestone (white and pink in colour) from the Valpolicella quarries. Its original colour has come to life thanks to recent restoration. The second internal ring remains intact with its double tier of seventy-two arches.