Flying over Verona...
An icon of Verona, together with the characters of Juliet and Romeo, THE ARENA is a Roman amphitheater located in the historic center of the city.
It is one of the great buildings that have characterized Roman architecture and one of the ancient amphitheaters we now have with the best degree of conservation, thanks to the important restorations carried out starting in from the sixteenth century; for this very reason, despite the numerous transformations it has undergone, it allows the visitor to easily understand the structure of this kind of buildings, rigorously subject to the function for which they were intended but still endowed with essential beauty.
The Roman theater of Verona is an open-air theater built in the 1st century BC. at the foot of Colle San Pietro, on the left bank of the Adige. It is one of the best preserved theaters in northern Italy, so much so that it is part of the exhibition itinerary of the city archaeological museum. The view from the top is of the beautiful red-tile roofs of the town as well as the famous Ponte Pietra bridge. Every imagined picture of Italy features these cypress trees and this place doesn’t disappoint.
The Castelvecchio bridge, also known as the Scaliger bridge, is an infrastructural and military work located in Verona along the Adige river, part of the Castelvecchio fortress and considered the most daring and admirable work of the Veronese Middle Ages.
Together with the Arena and Juliet’s house, the Basilica of San Zeno is one of Verona most representative places.
The church is dedicated to Saint Zeno, eighth bishop of Verona. He was of African origin and this is the reason why he is often depicted with a dark skin complexion. The facade of St Zeno is considered one of the purest examples of Romanesque architecture in Europe. It is made in tuff, which gives St Zeno its peculiar honey-like colour. In the centre of the façade the rose window, also known as the Wheel of Fortune because of the sculptures by master Brioloto representing six human figures, the king on top, the man in despair at its bottom. Among St Zeno many artistic and historical treasures is the basilica monumental bronze portal, divided into 48 panels.
Another fundamental masterpiece in St. Zeno’s church is the altarpiece painted by Andrea Mantegna in 1459: Our Lady sitting on a throne between angels and saints. It represents the cornerstone of Renaissance art in Verona.
Piazza delle Erbe is the oldest square in Verona, and rises above the area of the Roman Forum. In the Roman age it was the center of political and economic life; over time the Roman buildings gave way to medieval ones This beautiful square is right at the heart of Verona’s historic center, so there really is no excuse not to wander through.
Take in the beautiful architecture of the square, including the town hall with its impressive Torre dei Lamberti, the intricately frescoed walls of the Mazzanti houses, the Palazzo Maffei, completed in the Baroque style and the oldest piece in the square: the fountain.
Juliet’s house is a medieval palace in Verona, located in a short distance from the central Piazza delle Erbe.
The myth of Romeo and Juliet finds confirmation in Verona where legend and reality morph, to the extent that various locations narrated in Shakespeare’s tale are recognisable.
Plan your visit to Verona!
Create your own personalized itinerary in the city by selecting the sites you want to see by clicking these links:
Verona Streets
by Wulf Rössler
Photography has become an ubiquitous part of our lives. We take pictures of each and everything in this world and eventually also post it on social media. Instagram marketing statistics state, that every second over 1000 photos are uploaded to Instagram. Currently, there are roughly 50 billion photos posted on Instagram. It seems, that everything has been photographed in this world, but not yet all by us.
Unlike most visitors, who only spend a few days in Verona, I was fortunate to photograph in Verona during several weeks, because I was invited to lecture for medical students at the University in 2017 and 2018. As most visitors, I took pictures of the Arena, the Castle, the various Piazzas and, of course, of Juliet’s house, a 14th-century Gothic building, that is said to have inspired Shakespeare to write his tragic romance of Romeo and Juliet. But having the opportunity to spend many hours wandering around where I could fully engage with the city life, I lost interest in these touristic hotspots and got more attracted by the people in the city. Where is the resolute lady on the cover about to go? Why is a young female tourist hanging from an iron gate? Why do so many male tourists feel the need to touch the bosom of Juliet’s statue? Or Mini Mouse in a shop window seems to be promoting two young ladies? Many unexplained situations, open for fantasies.
When I recently compiled the photos for this Verona photo book, I quickly realized that they should be black and white images, because the intense colors of Verona distract from the essence of Verona. It is this special mixture of tourists and locals, young and old, the special Italian chic, the unique light of Italy and all this against the historical scenery of the medieval city that fascinates. This I tried to reflect in the photo book.
Interesting photography deals with the view that diverges from our everyday view of the world. And of course everyone perceives his or her environment in a different way. It is so true, that in photography one eye looks through the viewfinder of your camera and the other eye looks inward yourself. So what you find in this photo book is my personal view of Verona and also a reflection of myself. But maybe my view allows you to take another look at Verona. This is the maximum, that a photo book can achieve.
In photography am a true amateur. The word “amateur” comes from a French word with the meaning “lover of”, in my case “lover of photography”. For many years my camera has accompanied me on my lecture tours, congress trips and work places around the world. If you are interested in my photographic work, you are welcome to visit my website: https://wulfroessler.ch
Wulf Rössler
Garda Lake, is the largest of the Italian lakes. To the south it is surrounded by the morainic hills left by the retreat of the ice and, in the highest and narrowest part to the north, surrounded by the high mountain ranges that give it the shape and shape of a fjord and protect it making its climate particularly mild Mediterranean type.
The brightness of the environment, the sweetness of the climate, a rich vegetation, consisting mainly of olive trees, palms, cypresses, lemons, oleanders and oranges, together with the grandeur of the landscapes, which are the background to the interesting historical and cultural testimonies scattered throughout its territory.
The intense color of the water, with a marked blue tone and a transparency that is difficult to find, make Lake Garda a unique destination capable of hosting visitors and lovers of a holiday dedicated to relaxation, sport, fun and the taste of discovery of places.
Soave is the name of the enchanting medieval village, which, according to legend, owes its name to the poet Dante Alighieri who was intoxicated by the beauty of the place, the wine and the hospitality of its inhabitants. It has an imposing castle and is one of the few villages in Italy that preserves its ancient medieval walls in excellent condition.
Lands of Eastern Veneto, preserved magic waiting to be discovered through a journey among the ever-changing suggestions of its four wonderful valleys. Villas, churches, ancient manors, but also carefully preserved nature, amaze visitors, charm them, and then finally conquer them with the authenticity of its food and wine production.
If the crystal waters of Lake Garda wetted your appetite, we recommend spending a day in Gardaland, the No. 1 Amusement Park in Italy. It is organised in themed areas that conjure up the world of history and geography, space and fantasy.
All rides at Gardaland Park offer a special combination of adventure, dream and fantasy, and the great variety of rides and shows is able to satisfy a very wide audience. Fun is guaranteed for the little ones. Pure adrenaline is guaranteed for daredevils with Oblivion, Blue Tornado and Raptor, the most feared rides! Adventure lovers can instead challenge the fury of the rapids in the heart of the jungle, escape from Atlantis and join the legendary Arctic Mammoth convoy!
Borghetto is just a handful of houses with three ancient mills in complete symbiosis with its river, the Mincio.
The landscape is motionless, perennial, timeless and reminds us of our need for springs, taking us back to our roots, as in any river myth in which water and dreams merge. Walking to Borghetto in the evening to see a sunset over the Mincio, is like travelling in time to an imaginary Middle Ages.
Borghetto’s history is written by battles fought to conquer this important strategic crossing point. Ponte Visconteo, a stunning fortified dam, was built in 1393 by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, it was connected to the Scaligero Castle above, its towers dominating the borgo from the hilltop.
…and now….why not VENICE?
Venice is an extraordinary destination and we can suggest numerous reasons to visit this magical city.
But if we had to give only one reason, it would be that Venice is unique and completely different from any other city in the world. A place that welcomes and captures the hearts of all who visit it.
It would be useless to tell the story of Venice: you have to discover it by visiting its most famous monuments, its historic buildings, the splendid works of the artists who painted it and perhaps listening to the music of Venice.
We suggest an ideal itinerary through this fascinating city, here it is:
- St. Mark’s Square
- St. Mark’s Basilica and Campanile
- Doges’ Palace
- Bridge of Sighs
- Grand Canal
- Rialto Bridge
- Ca’ d’Oro
- Ca’ Foscari
- Academy of Fine Arts
- Church of St. Mary of Salvation
- Church of St. George Major
After the walk, you will probably find yourself back in Piazza San Marco, where you can stop for a drink at Florian’s, one of the most famous cafes in Venice which offers a splendid view of the main square of the city.
At the end of the day take a romantic and fascinating gondola ride before night falls.
And if you have an extra day, we suggest an excursion to the most interesting islands of the Venice Lagoon.
Take the Vaporetto to reach the island of Torcello. Torcello is also known internationally for its rare artisan lace and offers various attractions such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and its bell tower. To get a splendid view of the island and the lagoon, we recommend going up to the observation deck of the bell tower.
After visiting Torcello, take the same vaporetto to the island of Burano, one of the most beautiful and colorful fishing village.
Finally Murano, the island of glass, known thanks to its famous glass making. Take your time to explore the island: visit a glass factory and learn how glass masters create their masterpieces.