Romance Revived: Why Verona continues to capture hearts as the City of Love

Fair Verona awaits!  

Rich Romanesque and Gothic architecture, red wine risotto, a stopping point for both Milan and Venice and not forgetting being the home of Juliet’s house – are just some of the many things this beautiful city is known for.  

But why, where and how did Verona’s reputation of being “the city of love” come from?  

To celebrate the season of romance, we uncover the reasons why in our latest blog post... 

Through thriving as a centre of art and political intrigue in the medieval period, to becoming a haven for renowned artists and poets (including William Shakespeare himself) in the renaissance period and evolving as the vibrant cultural hub we know it as today — Verona has stood the test of time. Its rich history unfolds across centuries, captivating visitors with its storied past and timeless allure. 

Verona’s origins trace back to ancient times, when it served as a crucial Roman settlement known as “Verona Augusta”. Being located along the Adige River, it was a convenient location for trade and commerce as the city walls safeguarded against invaders.  

But apart from its scenic walks and romantic views, why has Verona been penned down as the “city of love?” 

There are two words as the answer to this question: Romeo and Juliet.  

The story of "Romeo and Juliet" traces back to Arthur Brooke's 1562 poem, "The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet," which drew inspiration from earlier Italian literary works by Luigi de Porto and Matteo Bandello.  

These narratives depicted the tragic tale of Romeo and Giuletta amidst the enduring feud between the Montecchi and Capelletti families. The Romeo and Juliet story spans through various iterations, echoing across centuries of literary tradition. 

It’s these stories and the timeless version by William Shakespeare about the star-crossed lovers that have captured the hearts of many, and in Verona, there is a house nestled within the cobbled streets of Via Cappello, billed as Juliet’s house.  

Juliet’s house (or Casa di Giulietta) is where huge crowds from all over the world will gather to visit, although Shakespeare’s Juliet wasn’t based on a real person and the house doesn’t have any relation to the story, this is a romantic fantasy that people want to live.    

The historical residence once belonged to the Cappello family (hence the same street name) and it dates to the 13th century, though the famous Juliet’s balcony wasn’t added until the 20th century. Adorning the courtyard stands a statue of Juliet, inviting visitors to engage in the beloved tradition of rubbing her right breast for luck in love, despite her own tragic fate. 

This enchanting site has become a place where the heartbroken can pen heartfelt letters to real-life Letters to Juliet Secretaries whilst seeing the world-renowned Juliet Balcony, a symbol of enduring romance and poignant yearning.  

If you want a deeper dive, you can visit the inside of Juliet’s house for the bustling museum where you can soak up the history of the story, read snippets of Shakespearean inserts and adore Renaissance-era attire and the very bed that featured in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 cinematic rendition of the timeless tale. 

The gift shop is also a crowning glory for visitors who want to take a piece of the romance back home with them. 

The fantasy of Romeo and Juliet and Juliet’s house has been captured in many film adaptations and books, keeping the romance alive and therefore, crowning Verona as the “city of love”.  

 

Feeling the love, romance and fantasy of this wonderful city and wanting to experience it yourself?  

Our Italian Indulgence tour gives you an intoxicating mix of ancient cities, imagination-firing landscapes and oh-so-beautiful views. You’ll be able to savour every moment and get to feel the allure of the city of Verona.  

Filled with impressive ruins and romantic hotspots, you’ll visit all the highlights on an orientation tour from your expert Tour Leader and see the Juliet statue and balcony yourself. 

Add our Italian Indulgence tour to your 2024 travel plans.