Verona - the city of Romeo and Juliet

When somebody hears about Italy, it reminds him/her always the cities Rome, Venice or Milano. The cities which are already famous. But there also other cities which deserves to be seen in Italy. One of them is Verona! The city of Romeo and Juliet. Everybody knows about those star-crossed lovers but very little people know that they lived or supposed to have lived in Verona. And there is a house of Juliet in the city which is actually very famous.

Verona

Verona is 1 hour 20 minutes awat from Venice. May be it is the story of Shakespeare that makes the city so lovely. I have to admit that Verona was the city I liked the most in Italy. It is small but has a lovely atmosphere. Although touristic one can feel herself/himself really in Italy. The architecture was very nice and you could feel the romance by walking through the streets.

The house of Juliet

Yes, let's start with the most famous sightseeing. The house of Juliet or Casa di Giulietta. Nobody knows for sure if it was really the house of Juliet or not but even if not it attracts so many tourists. May be the people just want to believe. Actually I felt that when I was there...

You enter the house from a big door. As soon as you enter, the magic takes you into it. You see first everywhere the locks hanged on the walls. I didn't know about it so I didn't bring any. But I suppose when people hanged those locks there, they also left their wishes too with the hope that they will come true.

Locks

And then comes the famous Juliet statue. In the travel guide we read before, it was written that when you touch the breast of the statue you find "a new lover". Since we didn't want to find "a new lover", we didn't touch it. But on the way back we read somewhere else that actually it brings luck. So is up to you to touch or not to touch! We couldn't solve it.

Juliet

And... The famous balcony! Of course that was the part which was full of people. Most of the time there was a queue in front of the balcony to take a photo. Everybody wanted to be a Juliet in the balcony who waits for her Romeo.

Sun-crossed lovers:)

Centuries ago in that house really lived a rich family. The Capello family. The name of the Juliet’s family in Shakespeare’s play is Capulet. So that similarity spurned the belief that it was the house of the Capulets. That house was built in the 13th century. And maybe it is disappointing but the balcony was added later in the 1930s.

The balcony was added later

You don't have to pay when you enter the garden but to see the inside of the house you have to pay an entrance fee. That was 3 euros. It is open every day till 19:30 but on Mondays just only in the afternoon. Inside the house you see the furniture, clothes and some paintings related to Juliet and her family but it is not known for sure that they really belonged to the Capulets or the Capellos.

It is supposed to be Juliet's bed

Romeo's house

There might be people who ask where Romeo is. The answer comes from Shakespeare himself...

A tip for you... If you go to Verona, don't forget to visit also Romeo's house. Yes of course, there is also a house of Romeo in Verona but still there are people living in so you can just see the door. The sign above is hanged on the door of that house.

Romeo's door

Juliet's tomb

If you are so frick about Romeo and Juliet, you should visit also the churh where they got married and Juliet's tomb (La Tomba di Giulietta). The tomb is found in the San Francesco al Corso cloister on Via del Portiere. So the story is complete with all the so-called evidences.

Juliet's tomb

As I said it is up to you to believe or not to believe but if you are a romantic, I am sure it will attract you. Anyway in the house you could see mostly the people who wanted to believe in the story.

The Arena

Another famous place in Verona is the Roman amphitheater. It is also known as the Arena.

The Arena

If you feel hungry you can find many restaurants if you follow the street on the left side of the arena. Along this street there are many restaurants and also shops.

Piazza delle Erbe

It is a square full of restaurants, cafes and also street sellers. There you can find many presents for your friends. Mostly magnets or such souvenirs related to the city and of course to Romeo and Juliet. The square has also historical importance. There are many historical buildings in Piazza delle Erbe. The most famous is the Tower Lamberti. If you go up the 83 meter high tower you can see the city from the top. It has a nice view. For lazies there is also an elevator.

Piazza delle Erbe

In Verona there is also an old castle. We couldn't see it since we didn't have the time. But it is supposed to be very nice. The castle is called Castelvecchio.

So if one day you visit Verona, I wish you a happy journey in that city of the most romantic and also the unluckiest lovers of the world...

"My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!  
Prodigious birth of love it is to me, 
That I must love a loathed enemy. "

Shakespeare