Courtesy of 3DFlags.comVerona, Italy

Verona, Italy

"Two households, both alike in dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene..." And thus begins the most famous of all love stories and tragedies "Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter". Oops, I mean Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. (Couldn't resist a reference to the Best Picture.) Truth is, Verona's not so fair in July. It's pretty damn hot. No wonder the Montacchi and Capuletti killed each other. It's the heat making them all short tempered...

But Verona is not just about Romeo and Juliet. There are many other significant, interesting, and (yes) non-fictional sights to see.


The Roman arena in Verona, built in the 1st century AD is one of the best preserved Roman amphitheaters. It is still used for concerts and plays today. Here they are setting up for a performance of Aïda.

Roman Arena


This arena is well preserved inside, but all that remains of the outer wall is this section containing four arches. To gauge the size of these arches, that's a person sitting between the 3rd and 4th arch.

Arena arches


Verona Act II, Scene II, Juliet's balcony. "But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the East, Cheryl and Carol are the sun." ... "O Charles, Charles! Wherefore art thou Charles? Deny thy father and refuse thy name..."

Juliet's window


In Juliet's courtyard there's a bronze statue of Juliet. Oh my, I had no idea she was so tall at the ripe age of thirteen! She should go out for the WNBA! Rubbing her breasts is supposed to bring good luck in love. (Didn't work. Maybe I was rubbing her the wrong way.)

Juliet


Carol, Cheryl, and I enjoy a rest in the cool shade of Giardino Giusti.

Giardino Giusti


A bridge over the river Adige in Verona. The battlements carry the open leaf design typical of the Scaligeri family who ruled Verona from 1260 to 1387 and built the bridge and the attached Castelvecchio (old castle).

Ponte Castelvecchio


Another shot of the Ponte Castelvecchio with the castle off to the right.

Castelvecchio


San Zeno church in Verona, built in 1117 with the red/white striped design typical of the region. It's made of alternating layers of red brick and stucco. Kinda ugly if you ask me.

San Zeno


The rose pedal window on San Zeno, called "the Wheel of Fortune," is also a Verona landmark.

Wheel of Fortune


This is the Duomo (the main and usually largest church in town) in Verona. It was built in 1187, and holds tons of artwork including Titian's "Assumption" and the finely carved baptismal font. I also saw some artists at work inside restoring the frescos. It made me think of the original artists who colored these walls in the 12th century.

Duomo


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