Piazza Brà, the ideal starting point for a short visit to the city, is dominated by the magnificient Roman
Arena (
1st Century A.D.) one of the most important and best preserved Roman Amphitheatre, where world famous operas are held every summer.
From the south east of the piazza are the neo-classical Palazzo Barbieri, the Palazzo della Gran Guardia (XVII century) and the wide pavement called "
Liston", the traditional promenade of the locals. At the end of the Liston,
Via Mazzini is the most fashionable street of the city.
Turning right at the end of Via mazzini you'll arrive in
Via Cappello, where at number 23, the leggend has the
Casa di Giulietta with its world famous
balcony.
Walking back towards Via Mazzini you arrive to the
Piazza delle Erbe, where the
colorful market enlivens the square. On the square are
Palazzo Maffei, a fine baroque building, and the
Torre del Gardello, to the right of the square is the
Palazzo del Comune dominated by the
Torre dei Lamberti (
83 m.). The
Arco della Costa next to it links the Palazzo del Comune to the "
Domus Nova". Further on the right the
Case Mazzanti stand out with their XVI Century frescoes. On the other side the XIV Century building of the "
Domus Mercatorum". In the centre of the square
Madonna Verona's fountain.
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Walking thorugh the Arco della Costa you reach
Piazza dei Signori. From the left hand-side you first encounter the XVII Century Domus Nova, in Venitian style, the Reinassance
Loggia del Consiglio, the
Palazzi Scaligeri and
Palazzo del Capitano with its overlooking tower. A smaller arch links this to the
Palazzo della Ragione, whose alternate layers of bricks and limestone create an unusual and colorful pattern.
Through the arch you enter into the
Cortile Mercato Vecchio, where gothic
Scala della Ragione is well worth seeing. Walking back into Piazza dei Signori and turning right you come in sight of the impressive
Arche Scaligere (
Scaligeri's graves), erected on the grounds of Santa Maria Antica's church. Legend has it that
Romeo's house was situated in the nearby Via Arche Scaligere at number 4, where today a plaque marks the medieval brick house.
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