Top Rated Attractions in Verona

Verona's Studio la Città has been around since 1969, proudly displaying modern classics by a variety of artists. The gallery moved to a larger location in 2007, allowing it space to expand the scope of its offerings to include concerts, performances and more. Visit the website to see its full program.

Duomo Santa Maria Matricolare was erected on the site of the pre-existing Christian church after the earthquake of 1117. In 1444, major renovation and enlargement work took place on the Roman building, as promised by the Scaligeri in the last years of their rule. Buttresses were added, as well as chapels along the building's perimeter. The influences of various different periods are visible on the façade of the building: the monumental Roman gateway with double arches by Nicolò (1139), the Gothic elements and the final, Renaissance additions. The interior is divided into three naves with pilasters in red marble, holding up ogival arches and cross-vaults with four chapels on each side and a presbytery closed off by a semi-circular door.

The central Piazza delle Erbe was the focal point of urban life in ancient Verona. It is located on the site of the ancient Roman Forum. Originally it was large (56 meters x 68 meters) and rectangular and then it was adapted to a Medieval shape and reduced in size. It was then delimited by the construction of the Palazzo del Comune. During the Scaligera period, it became a center for trade and commerce; to this end, various symbolic elements were added, such as the Fountain of the Madonna Verona, the Market Column (a Gothic structure built in 1401 to bear the viscount's insignia), the berlina (a marble canopy built to host the investiture of public office) and the Colonna di San Marco.

No one going to Verona could possibly justify missing out a visit to this Romanesque church which epitomizes the city: San Zeno Maggiore. On the left it is bordered by the battlemented, brick abbatial tower, on the right by the striped brick and tuff bell tower with three-mullioned windows and conic pinnacles. The church dominates the entire square. The original structure of the church dates back to the 12th century. It was built over pre-existing buildings. It was enlarged between 1120-1138 after the earthquake of 1117, with the addition of a tufa span on the West. At the end of the 13th Century the main nave was raised higher, the roof was finished, and the apse and cloisters were renovated. The salient façade is made of tuff, it is divided by thin pilaster strips, with a triangular pediment crossed by a gallery of mullioned windows with two lights in red marble. At the center is the "Wheel of Fortune", the large rosette dating back to the 13th century. The portal was built by Nicolò in 1138. Scenes of Saint Zeno's life and miracles are painted in the lunette, while wooden scenes from the Old and New Testament are depicted in the 48 panels.

Located outside the Verona city walls, this historic Roman amphitheater was built in the first half of the first century. It was designed to accommodate more than 30,000 spectators and hosted any number of events over the years, among them plays, battles, games, and even jousting competitions during the Middle Ages. Today, the excellent acoustics and sheer size of the Verona Arena lend themselves to grandiose operatic performances. In 1913, the amphitheater staged Verdi's Aida in honor of the Italian composer's 100th birthday, its first production of the 20th century. At once a grand venue and an ancient architectural jewel, the Verona Arena should certainly not be missed, be it for a night on the town or a cultural day tour.

This pedestrian-only shopping district of Corso Porta Borsari begins with a grandiose arch built by the Romans. This ancient sun-bleached wall was built in the third century as part of the ancient city's "decumano" gate. Upon passing through these imposing walls one is greeted with a narrow street lined with multitudinous boutiques selling hard to find local products in addition to gourmet restaurants, wine bars, and cafés such as Caffè Tubino. The atmosphere is vibrant while retaining a small-town feel, which makes this historic street the perfect place to take a stroll and drink in fair Verona.