It was a beautiful day in northern Italy this last Saturday so the Call family decided to get in their new car and travel to Verona, the scene of Romeo and Juliet.
Our first stop was the Arena, which is an old Roman amphitheatre build in the 1st century. Yes, the first century. I didn't forget a number. As you can see in the picture below, there are some arches that still stand from the original structure. At some point, the people used some of the bricks from the Arena to help build their tall wall to help fortify their city.
The Arena is still used today for concerts and Opera during the summer months. I can't even describe the energy and feeling of ancient layers that seems to flicker here.
Ancient seats and the last of the standing arches. My thighs got a workout going up and down these. The people must have been taller because my little legs got stretched just trying to get up a stair!
This is an entrance into the middle of the Arena. There are small opening on the sides where animals were let in and over the top of that arch is like a veranda that I wonder if the highest nobles sat at.
I made the boys line up against the rock wall inside the halls of the Arena. It's just so old. I think about all the things this place has seen and heard.
Landon looking contemplative.
Here's Les standing by the arches. The Arena was built of Veronese marble.
I am so jealous of my sister-in-law Jaime. She can make her kids pose just perfectly for the camera. My boys, not so much. The part of them that is like their "hammy" dad comes out! Grayson and Landon are standing in front of a door inside the interior of the Arena. I think we were on the 3rd floor here.
This is Piazza delle Erbe. This was originally the Roman Forum, the place they all came to shop and socialize. The medieval buildings took the place of the Roman ones but it is still the most ancient square in Verona. In this gorgeous plaza, you can see the tall tower in the left background. That is Lamberti Tower that is 85 meters high. You can climb all the way up there (for me, that is for another day!). It was begun in 1172 and completed in 1464 with the construction of the octagonal belfry.
Next to it on the right is the Baroque Palazzo Maffei.
Part of the Piazza delle Erbe. You can see the frescoes on the sides of the buildings. My pictures don't do it justice. We sat at one of the cafes and had some yummy sandwiches and sparkling water and just soaked up the atmosphere. Only downside....people smoking!
Baroque Palazzo Maffei. On top are Roman God statues. Jaw dropping beautiful!
The winged lion is the symbol of how Verona played an important role in the Venetian empire.
Grayson is standing in front of the fountain that features a 2000-year-old Roman statue that has become known as "Madonna Veronna". This is in the middle of Piazza delle Erbe.
Les and I in front of the "Madonna" fountain.
A close up Baroque Palazzo Maffei and the winged lion of Venice.
Just on the other side of the piazza is the castle of Juliet from the story of "Romeo and Juliet". Verona was the theatre where the story between Romeo and Juliet, made famous by Shakespeare’s tragedy, took place.In a building of the XIII century, Verona’s city dwellers recognized the Capuleti’s house: the legend merges with reality, here finding reference points. A beautiful facade faced with bricks and a Gothic front door on the exterior: in the courtyard there’s a bronze statue representing Juliet and the celebrate balcony protagonist of one of the most known scenes of the world dramatic literature.
Statue of Juliet. People come here and touch her breast for good luck. Thankfully my boys (all of them) refrained from doing that! They don't need that kind of luck!
Juliet's balcony.
It is my lady, O, it is my love!
O, that she knew she were!
She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that?
Her eye discourses; I will answer it.
I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks:
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek! "
-Romeo
O, that she knew she were!
She speaks yet she says nothing: what of that?
Her eye discourses; I will answer it.
I am too bold, 'tis not to me she speaks:
Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,
Having some business, do entreat her eyes
To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O, that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek! "
-Romeo
The garden where the balcony and the statue are. The large carved doors are the entrance to the castle for the tour of her "home". The two boys and I went in and I loved it. Couldn't take pictures inside. They have the bed from the 1968? movie and the costumes they wore inside. Very interesting. They had period furniture and pottery as well.
A plaque with some lines from the play by Shakespeare.
Les had to get this photo of me in Juliet's balcony.
It was a great adventure. There is so much more to see in Verona so we will be back!
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