studentsineurope

Verona – Home of Romeo and Juliet

The balcony of Juliet

Ah, Romance. It must be one of the best words to describe the history, beauty and magnificence of the continent of Europe. After Paris, the city of romance, the next stop for all you budding couples out there (or perhaps those of you looking to find the most romantic place in the world to meet your true love) must be Verona in Italy. Verona is the city in which Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is based.

But Verona has more to offer than just a look at the buildings, and of course the balcony, that inspired Shakespeare. Several annual shows and fairs as well as an impressive opera venue bring locals and tourists alike to the city of Verona at specific times of the year, especially when the sun is shining over summer as so many of these events are held outdoors.

The statue with the lucky...chest

In fact, the original version of Romeo and Juliet was not actually set in Verona at all but Siena. Shakespeare decided to change the setting when he wrote his play and the city of Verona has been taking advantage of the plays fame and fortune ever since. A certain balcony in Verona is said to be that of Juliet’s. Juliet’s house is a huge tourist attraction - for couples especially. For a price you can climb onto the balcony itself and snap a photo of yourself reenacting what is arguably one of the most famous scenes in the history of theatre.

The balcony is not the only attraction of Juliet’s house (although I’m afraid Romeo’s house is nothing but a plaque on a wall!). There is also a statue of the fair lady below the balcony and it is said that if you place your hand on her breast and make a wish it will come true…this must be one of the few superstitions that demand you fondle a breast. You can tell immediately which breast is the one to be grabbed as it has considerably more shine than the other thanks to all the rubbing. The tunnel that leads to the balcony is completely covered with love notes and love letters, originally written on the walls but now continually stamped, stapled and stuck on top of each other on any scrap of paper lovers can find.

The other major attraction of Verona is the Roman amphitheatre that dates all the way back to 30 AD. It is the third largest structure of its kind in all of Italy, being beaten only by the arena at Capua and the great Coliseum of Rome itself. What is extra special about the amphitheatre of Verona is that it still operates as a spectator’s arena, with some of the most prestigious operas, musicals and theatrical performances of the country visiting the arena every year. Of course to actually get inside to see some of these events is never cheap. That being said if seeing the opera is something important to your trip then there could not be a more magical place with so much history, atmosphere and presence.