Top 10 Fascinating Facts About Verona, Italy

Verona City Photo By JoJan Wikimedia

Top 10 Fascinating Facts About Verona, Italy

Verona is a city on the Adige River in Veneto, Italy. It is one of the seven provincial capitals of the region. It is the largest city municipality in the region and the second largest in northeastern Italy.

It is one of the main tourist destinations in northern Italy because of its artistic heritage and several annual fairs and shows as well as the opera season in the Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheatre. 

1 . Verona is a Very Ancient City

Verona Old Town photo  created by myself Wikimedia

The precise origin of Verona city is still unclear. The Romans took it in 89BCE, which makes the city over 2000 years old. There are still monuments dating from ancient times in Verona such as the Arena, and a massive colosseum.

The city dates from prehistoric times: a small built-up area that developed between the 4^th and 3^rd century BCE and became a Roman municipium in the 1^st century after which it rose rapidly in importance. During the 5^th century, Verona was occupied by the Ostrogoth Theodoric I, later by the Lombards and in 774 by Charlemagne.       

In the 12^th century, the city became an independent commune. Verona developed under the rule of the Scaliger and Cangrande I families, falling to Venice in 1405. In 1866 the city joined the Kingdom of Italy.

2 . Humid Subtropical Climate

The city boasts a subtropical climate that is characterized by hot summers and cold, humid winters. It also experiences some quasi-Mediterranean weather due to the influence of lake Garda. Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, which is located very close to the city of Verona.

The proximity of the lake creates a very humid atmosphere, all year around. The humidity is at its peak in winter, and it creates a layer of fog over the city on many mornings

May to September is the best month to visit the city because the temperature is favourable for outdoor activities. During winter, fog is quite common, especially in the central region which is crossed by the Po River and far from mountain ranges.

3. Tourists’ Attraction Destination

Verona attracts a huge number of tourists due to its rich history and significance, and its myriad of ancient buildings such as the Arena, Piazza Delle Erbe, Juliet’s House and the Ponte Scaligero.

Arena di Verona constructed in 30AD is a national landmark that is unknown to many, but it stands as a triumph of Roman engineering and is a true wonder located at the centre of the historic town.

Castelvecchio is a castle with the most important military construction of the Scaliger dynasty that ruled the city in the Middle Ages. The castle is powerful and compact with very little decoration.

4. The City has been Under Three Different Emperors

Since 569, Verona was part of the Lombard Kingdom, under the rule of the Alboin, King of the Lombards. In 774, the city was taken by Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, King of the Franks. Charlemagne became the King after the conquest of Verona, and later became Emperor of the Romans in 800.

Verona became French in 1797 when napoleon conquered the city. He quickly lost the city to a populace uprising, and give it to Austria in 1798. Verona became Italian in 1866 when the Austrians left Verona up to date.

5. Verona is Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Place

Verona City By LBM1948 Wikimedia

Verona is known for its rich history and was an important city throughout the years. This comes without a surprise that Verona was recognized by UNESCO as a city with outstanding universal values, and listed as a World Heritage Site.

 Several monuments in the city are still in great shape, even though they date back to antiquity, the medieval and Renaissance periods, and represent an outstanding example of a military stronghold.

The municipal administration of Verona includes a UNESCO office that provides coordination and a technical secretariat.

6. Verona is Known as the City of Love

William Shakespeare set his masterpiece “Romeo and Juliet” in this gem of a city. This perfect frame for love stories is located in the Veneto region and has always been an important pole since the Ancient Rome era and through the Roman Empire.

Thousands of visitors every year come to relive the magical story of the two star-crossed lovers. Here you will see the balcony where Juliet stood while Romeo declared his love. The city has the most powerful love story in the western culture and a little part of its dream for valentine’s day when the city offers many ideas to celebrate an unforgettable romantic weekend.

7.  Historic Center of the City is Surrounded by a Stone Wall

Verona city walls By lienyuan lee Wikimedia

The walls were built by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. Though the centre of the city is protected by fortified walls, it’s not the most famous. The walls can reach up to a height of 13 meters and some points of 8 meters.

The walls were an important part of city defence in history. In the 19^th century, they were heavily used by the Australian empire for defence even added to fortified walls.

8. The Arena Amphitheater House

Arena of Verona By Son of Groucho from Scotland Wikimedia

It was built in the 1^st century AD to watch the fights of gladiators with an initial capacity of 30000 but today about 20000 total. The building sits at the Piazza Bra. it is the largest Piazza in the city with a width of 110 meters and a length of 139 meters. It features 44 tiers of marble seats.

During ancient times, the Arena hosted ludi. It is a monument that represents the city. The Arena of Verona in the course of its long life has continued and continues to be used for shows of all kinds, especially musical ones.

9. St. Zeno the Patron Saint of Verona Spread the catholic religion

In 362, St. Zeno became the bishop of Verona. He was a native African believed to have come from Mauretania. He did so much to spread the Catholic religion in Africa by teaching children.

He was an active missionary worker; St. Zeno is famous for building a basilica and founding a convent in Verona. An avid writer, he expounded on ecclesiastical subjects, specifically the virgin birth of Christ.

Today, the city celebrates April 12^th as St. Zeno’s liturgical feast day. However, in the diocese of Verona, the same is celebrated on May 21^st to commemorate his translation of relics that the completed-on May 21^st,807.

10. The City Has Three Professional Football Teams

The city of Verona has three Professional Football Teams. The teams include A.s Cittadella, Verona F.C, and Chievo Verona. The Verona F.C referred to as Hellas Verona, is a professional Italian F.C based in Verona. It is the city’s major team. It won a series A championship from 1984 -1985.

Chievo Verona is as well referred to as Derby Della Scala. The name refers to the Scaligeri Ordella Scala Aristocratic family, who were rulers of Verona during the Middle Ages and early Renaissance. A.S Cittadella commonly known as Cittadella is based in the city of Cittadella, Verona and currently playing in series B. It was founded in 1773 and plays its home games at the Stadio pier Cesare Tombolato.