The way we live Benvenuti a Verona – Welcome to Verona The origin of our town’s name: Verona It could come“ from the root “br”, which means “place on the hill where a river flows” or it could come from the latin “ver” which means spring, or from the latin “Vera – True - ”, that is the name of the etruscan family who was the first to colonize S. Pietro Hill…

The way we live Benvenuti a Verona – Welcome to Verona Roman Age In the Roman Age Verona became a very important town, built accordingly with the Roman architecture: a network of roads along the Cardo Massimo and the Decumano Massimo, the two main roads which rejoined in the Market Place – Forum.

The way we live Benvenuti a Verona – Welcome to Verona Barbarian people arrive!!! When the Roman empire ended many barbarian people came to invade Verona: Ostrogots, with King Teodorico Longobards with King Alboino Frankish with Carlo Magno

The way we live Benvenuti a Verona – Welcome to Verona “Scaligera” age In 1136 the town council of Verona was set by people who wanted to defend themselves from the emperor Federico Barbarossa –Frederik Redbeard. In 1226 Ezzelino Da Romano was chosen as Lord of Verona. He was a cruel man and ruled the town until After him Mastino della Scala came and then Cangrande. With Cangrande the town spread and he ruled a big part of our region - Veneto – and part Romagna and Tuscany of Emilia Equestrian statue of Cangrande I della Scala

The way we live Benvenuti a Verona – Welcome to Verona Piazza Erbe In the past, fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants sold in the market were called Erbe - grasses. Also nowadays this wonderfull place is an open market where turists can buy almost everything or eat the typical pancake called “bombolone”. Venetian Age In the first half of the XVI century the Venetian Republic built new fortifications. They were planned by the architect Michele Sanmicheli, who renewed the area near the Arena, from that time the hearth of the town. Contemporary Age At the end of 1700 Verona was occupied by Napoleon’s troops. In 1801, due to the Campoformio Treaty, Verona was split in two parts: the right bank of the river Adige was occupied by French; the left bank by Austrian people. From 1805 to 1814 the town was owned by Napoleon and later on it was part of The Asburgic Empire. During all the 1800 Verona was a very important military place. The fortifications were renewed once more and Verona became the strongest among the four town (Peschiera, Legnago, Verona, Mantova) of the quadrilateral.

What children can do Benvenuti a Verona – Welcome to Verona VERONA tour … at Roman times

Here is one of the many painters who paint the beauty of Piazza Erbe Points of interest Benvenuti a Verona – Welcome to Verona On the fountain of “Madonna Verona” There is written: “EST IUSTI LATRIX URBS HAEC ET LAUDIS AMATRIX” “This town brings justice and loves praise”

Points of interest Benvenuti a Verona – Welcome to Verona Piazza Bra Its name comes from the german word “breit” which stands for “large”. You can enter Piazza Bra from Corso Porta Nuova through two big medioeval arches. Over the arches there is a big clock. It was made by the Count Nogarola in Since the clock didn’t work properly, the Veronese people called it “No ga l ora”. This sentence, in local dialect stands for: “It doesn’t give the time”

Points of interest Benvenuti a Verona – Welcome to Verona Gran Guardia Palace At the beginning it hosted military troops but nowadays it is seat of exibition and conferences. In May there is a big exibition called Maggio Scuola – School in May – and the nicest works of all the schools are exihibited there.

Points of interest Benvenuti a Verona – Welcome to Verona Palazzo Barbieri Barbieri Palace is seat of the City Council. It is a neoclassical building. The two marble stairs are the main attraction for the children who likes sliding down from the top. Our Socrates partners did it in February and they liked it a lot!!! Here you can get married

Points of interest Benvenuti a Verona – Welcome to Verona The Arena The name comes from the latin “rena” which means sand. The Romans built the Amphitheatre in the first part of the 1st century AD. It hosted games where gladiators fought each other The facade (there is still a small section, the so-called "Ala" or "Wing"), was entirely built in large blocks of white and pink limestone In the Middle Ages, stones from the Arena were taken to be used to build other buildings. Nowadays it is the place where shows and events are offered to peole who come from all over Italy and, all over the world, especcially for the annual summer opera season.

Points of interests Benvenuti a Verona – Welcome to Verona A legend tells that once upon a time there was a noble man who was condemned to death due to his crimes. He would be forgiven if he was able to build a very big building in one night. The man asked the devil for help but, when the bells rang the Ave Maria, the devil had to escape, and he couldn’t finish his work. For this reason the Arena has got only one “wing” A joke: “Gh’è novita? I buta zò la Rena par slargar la Bra” (Veronese dialect) “Ci sono novità? Buttano giù l’Arena per allargare Piazza Bra” “Are there news? They demolish the Arena to enlarge the place”

Points of interests Benvenuti a Verona – Welcome to Verona

Hallo, I’m St. Zeno. My skin is dark because I was born in the North of Africa in the third century. I’ve nourished the faith in Verona and my body is kept, now,in the crypt of this basilica. Look at my pastoral stick: there is a pending fish! So yes…I loved to fish on the banks of the Adige river, especially the souls of the people of Verona.

Points of interests Benvenuti a Verona – Welcome to Verona A day I was sitting on a rock near the Adige river and I was fishing. Two emperor’s messengers arrived and told me:” Emperor wants to see you because you can save his daughter possessed by the devil. So I went to emperor’s palace and I marked a cross holding girl’s hands and I command to the devil to go out from her. In this “formella” I’m the one on the right side.