Verona, Italy is a city that has captivated audiences, including Romeo and Juliet, for centuries. Its history, natural beauty and interesting attractions make Verona one of the most fascinating cities in all of Italy.

Verona, Italia, as the Italians refer to it as, is located in Northeast Italy on the Adige River. Verona, located 70 miles west of Venice has a relatively small population with a little over 250,000 inhabitants. Verona has long been a transportation crossroad and one of Italy’s industrial and agricultural centers. Verona is one of Italy’s most important economic and most influential cities.

The history of Verona is just as diverse as the people themselves. Although Verona’s exact founding date is not known, Verona became an important settlement by 89 B.C. After involvement in many wars, Verona later became the capital of the Lombard province. In the 12the century, Verona was made a free commune. The William Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet depicts the real life struggles between the Guelph and the Ghibelline families in the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1387 Verona fell to Milan and from 1405 up until about 1800 the city of Verona was under the rule of Venice. Venice’s rule over Verona was finally ended as a result of the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, when Verona officially joined the kingdom of Italy.

Verona is recognized as a city of great art and architecture. Verona had a big impact on the art and architecture of Italy in the Renaissance. Verona produced the architects Giocondo and Sanmichele and the painters Pisanello and Paolo Veronese, who painted many of the buildings in both Verona and Venice. You will find many famous works of art today in the museums and galleries of Verona.

Verona has many attractions to keep visitors interested for days. There is the Arena di Verona, a 2000-year-old Arena that is still in production today. There is the Ponte Scaligero bridge, which is one of the most historic bridges in all of Italy. There is Juliet’s House that is one of the most famous tourists attractions in the whole city. You will also not want to miss the Piazza dei Signori, Piazza delle Erbe and the Castelvecchio, which are some of the most historic buildings in all of Verona.

Verona is a city of life, love, history and Shakespeare. Anyone planning a trip to Italy cannot afford to miss the wonder that is Verona.