Ancient bridge in Verona. Verona

Architectural heritage

The stone bridge, located in the historic center of Verona, just 150 meters north of the cathedral, is not only the first stone bridge that was once built in Verona, but also the first large marble structure in the city. Until now, he is given great historical and cultural significance. It is the only Romanesque bridge in the city of Verona, which, despite years and wars, has never been completely destroyed. For the first time, the construction of a bridge at this place was already engaged in the II century BC, its predecessor was almost entirely made of wood, only after a while it was replaced by a stone structure. The times of devastating earthquakes that greatly shocked Verona in the XI-XIII centuries and caused significant destruction of other architectural structures, touched the bridge slightly, a small part of it was collapsed, but then restored again. More significant reconstructions were carried out only at the beginning of the 16th century, they were led by the Italian scientist and architect Fra Giovanni Giocondo. The Second World War tried to destroy the structure, despite the retreat in April 1945, the Nazi army almost completely destroyed the bridge, leaving only an arch located on the right bank of the Adige River. It is worth noting that it was erected at the end of the XIII century, representing great historical significance, after the war, with the participation of architect Piero Gazzola, its restoration began, which led to the creation of an exact copy of the remaining parts of the bridge.

Features of the erected structure

The stone bridge, which today consists of five differing from each other in the size and shape of the arches, is lined with white marble and red brick. If you look closely, you can see that all the arches are supported by specially equipped supports that are sunk to the bottom of the Adige River. The third support is equipped with a small round window, and the fifth - a semicircular Romanesque window. According to historians, the original structure was decorated with four identical windows, which were laid after numerous medieval reconstructions, most likely this was done in order to give the structure more stability and reliability. The stone bridge, called Ponte Pietra, from the Italian Ponte Pietra in translation sounds like a "bridge-stone." Today, visitors from many countries around the world come to Verona to admire the beautiful Roman arch bridge, thrown across the Adige River. It is worth noting that the very first bridge built on this site back in 89 BC. e. bore a completely different name, the locals called it the Marmoreus bridge, only after further significant rebuilding the building got its real name. A distinctive feature of the bridge is an old watchtower, erected on one side, and a length of 120 meters. In addition, after the withdrawal of the German invaders, many bridges in the city were completely destroyed, and still have not been restored. However, the architects managed to collect the Stone Bridge from the original fragments remaining at the bottom of the river.

Ponte Pietra (Ponte Pietra) - the only arch bridge in Verona, which was built in the era of the Roman Empire and has survived to this day almost in its original form. The name literally means "Stone Bridge". The length of the structure is 120 meters, the width is slightly less than 4 meters. Connecting the banks of the Adige River, at one end it literally rests against an old watchtower.

Ponte Pietra is the first stone bridge built on the territory of modern Verona around the year 89 AD. It consisted of five spans, made in the form of arches, and was originally called Pon Marmoreus (Pon Marmoreus) - Marble Bridge, based on the main material that was used for construction. In antiquity, the Postumiev road ran along it, connecting the trading city and the Brenner Pass in the Alpine Mountains.

Due to the large number of reconstructions, Pont Marmoreus changed his name (and, accordingly, the main masonry material) and became known as Ponte Pietra. Next to it was built a similar arched bridge - Ponte Postumio (Ponte Postumio). Together, they framed the ancient Roman Theater with a single architectural ensemble, partially preserved to this day.

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Toward the end of World War II, the Germans, retreating from the dilapidated Verona, blew up all the bridges in the city, including the old Ponte Pietra. Fortunately, photographs and technical specifications of the structure have been preserved. This made it possible at the end of the war to raise fragments from the bottom of Adige and rebuild it, almost completely preserving its original form. True, the marble masonry had to be partially replaced with other materials, including red brick. As a result, Ponte Pietra acquired a rather original appearance, which is known to the current inhabitants and guests of Verona.

Places nearby Ponte Pietra

Near Ponte Pietra are other interesting. The most important of them is the ancient Roman Theater (Teatro Romano), built at the beginning of the 1st century AD. Fragments of the orchestra, where there were places for noble spectators, a stage and part of an ancient temple, which was part of the theater complex, have been preserved to the present.

Not far from the Roman Theater is the monastery of San Girolamo (San Girolamo) interesting primarily because it houses the archaeological museum, which has a rather rich exposition.

Crossing the river, you can find yourself next to the church of St. Stephen - one of the most revered heavenly patrons of all of Europe and especially Italy. According to some versions, it was the church of St. Stephen that once served as the city church of Verona. Together with the bridge, these attractions form an amazingly beautiful architectural complex, which you can admire almost endlessly.

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Ponte Pietra, which means “stone bridge” in Italian, is an arched bridge connecting the banks of the Adige River. It was built at the end of the 1st century BC. through the ford and originally bore the name Pont Marmoreus. Later, as a result of numerous reconstructions due to floods and earthquakes, he received his current name. Once upon a time, the famous Postumieva road leading from Genoa to the Brenner Pass in the Alps passed along it. In ancient Roman times, a similar bridge was built nearby - Ponte Postumio, which, together with Ponte Pietra framed the ancient Roman Theater. On its stage unfolded majestic navajias - “naval battles”. In 1298, by order of Alberto I della Scala, the span closest to the right bank of the Adige was rebuilt. The total length of the bridge is 95 meters, the width is about 4 meters. On the right bank it abuts against a watchtower.

At the end of World War II, the five-span Ponte Pietra, like the other Verona bridges, was blown up by retreating German troops, and only in 1959 it was rebuilt by lifting original fragments from the bottom of the river. Of course, not all the components were found, therefore, various materials were used for the reconstruction - in addition to white marble, red brick was used, which gave the building a special picturesqueness. Ponte Pietra was once Verona's first stone bridge, but today it is the only Roman bridge left in the city.

Castelvecchio Bridge (Italian: Ponte Scaligero), also known as the Scaliger Bridge, is located on the Adige bend, adjoining the castle from the north (1.1 km south-west of the cathedral). This bridge was built in the middle of the 14th century by order of Can Grand II della Scala, who wanted to secure a way of retreat into the depths of his possessions, towards the plain.

The bridge was so strong that it stood unharmed for five centuries. However, it was completely destroyed on April 24, 1945 - German troops destroyed all the major bridges of Verona in order to ensure a safe retreat. After the war, the bridge was reconstructed. The work was supervised by the famous Italian architect and engineer Piero Gazzola, specializing in the restoration of architectural monuments.

The bridge leads directly to Castelvecchio Castle, being the northern entrance to the castle. The upper part of the bridge is made of red brick, and the foundation is made of white marble. The structure of the bridge is formed by three arches of various sizes, which are supported by two pentagonal towers, standing in the middle of the river, which are turned by one of the corners to the hill to facilitate the flow of the river.

The dimensions of the arches are selected taking into account the load created by the Adige current in the bend. The large arch has a very large width by medieval standards: 49 m; the other two are 29 and 24 m. The total length of the bridge is 120 m.

Verona is not a very large city, and not the most central, and there are few facts of historical significance in its biography. But on the other hand, it is so full of sights, it so powerfully combines different eras that you wonder why only two well-known objects attract tourists here: the Arena di Verona amphitheater and the Juliet House.

Meanwhile, in Verona, the remains of walls and pavements and even the theater of the times of Ancient Rome feel great. There are a large number of bridges, houses, palaces, fortresses, towers and churches built in the Middle Ages and retaining their appearance. The Renaissance left its mark in Verona. There is something to be surprised at, and there is something to admire.

Visited Verona

Verona's Brief History

No one knows the exact time of the founding of the city on the Adige River; settlements here have been formed since prehistoric times. They also do not know those who founded this city: whether they are Etruscans, a tribe of Euganeans; there is even a hypothesis that Verona was laid under the emperor Domitian. In any case, when the settlement in 89 BC. received the status of a Roman colony, flourishing and rapid growth began. The city was built, surrounded by walls. The Early Middle Ages was more than active time for Verona: the Goths fought with the Byzantines, the Byzantines with the Lombards, the Lombards were driven by the Franks - Verona was in the thick of things, it was always used as a fortress. The ruling dynasties succeeded each other: first the Romano clan, then the famous Scala family (Scaligers), then Visconti, followed by Carrara. Since the 15th century, Verona has been ruled by Venice. After the capture of the city by Napoleon’s troops in 1796, Verona was divided between the French and the Austrians: on the right bank were French military units, on the left - Austrian. Since 1815, Verona completely lived under the rule of the Austrian Habsburgs, and only in 1866 after the Third War of Independence of Italy entered the united Italian state. During World War II, the ancient city was badly damaged by bombing.

Paradoxical as it may seem, Verona is known to the whole world thanks to Shakespeare, who settled his Romeo and Juliet in it, who actually never lived and did not die here.

How to get to Verona

Verona has its own airport; it bears the name of Guy Valery Catullus, an ancient Roman poet from Verona. The airport is located 10 km from the city center.

Directly from Russia to Verona planes fly from Moscow. The airline operates these flights. S7  together with an Italian company Meridiana. The flight lasts three and a half hours. You can use difficult routes or use the airports of nearby cities: Milan, Bergamo, Brescia.

How to get from Verona Airport to the city

A company bus runs from Valeria Catulla Airport to the city every twenty minutes. ATV. The ticket costs   6 euro, on the way it is only 15 minutes, takes passengers to the main railway station Verona porta nuova, from which the city center is 10 minutes on foot.

Taxi will cost more. In addition, experience shows that when ordering a car in the parking lot upon arrival, it would be nice to know Italian in order to negotiate with the driver and not let yourself be deceived. It is known that Italian taxi drivers love to “wind up” foreign tourists. It is best to book a car online. For example, here: bookyourtransfer.com. Or here: kiwitaxi.ru. A taxi costs from 40 euros. And it’s best not to use a taxi: the airport is close enough to the city, you can take a bus.

What cities are located near Verona

Verona lies on the route Venice - Milan. Before Venice  the train will arrive in one and a half to two hours, the ticket costs 8.85 euros. Before Milan  the train runs for about two hours (ticket - 12.75 euros), Express train Frecciarossa  will reach the capital of Lombardy in 1 hour 10 minutes at a price of 19.90 euros. Before Brescia  trains run every hour, the journey will take 40 minutes, the ticket will cost 7.05 euros. Drive to Padua  possible for an hour or an hour "with a tail" at a price of   7.10 euro. Before Vicenza  - in 55 minutes and 5.55 euros, before Mantua  - in 46 minutes and 3.95 euros  per ticket.

If you don’t listen to the opera, then it’s worth a walk around this grandiose building.

"Juliet's House"

  13th Century Juliet's House with Later Balcony

The house as a magnet attracts the majority of those who came to Verona. On the streets you will even see signs with directions to it. In fact, this is a house of the 13th century that belonged to the Dal Capello family, and then, from the 17th century, changing owners and gradually becoming desolate. In the 30s of the XX century, after the release of the film on the Shakespearean tragedy, the house was bought by the municipality to arrange a museum of the heroine of the play. It was repeatedly restored and even rebuilt. A balcony was added, a bronze statue of Juliet was installed in the courtyard. The path to the courtyard leads through the arch, the walls of which are covered with love letters from millions of tourists who have visited here.

The costumes of actors from the Franco Zeffirelli film based on Shakespeare’s play are stored in the house; Juliet’s bedroom is “recreated”.

Opening hours:  on Monday from 13:30 to 19:30on other days from 8:30 to 19:30.

The ticket costs 6 euro.

The myth of Verona lovers is supported The Tomb of Juliet  and "House of Romeo". "Tomb"  located in the Capuchin monastery of San Francesco and is a marble sarcophagus of the XIII-XIV centuries. Now the monastery has been abolished, the Museum of Frescoes is located in its premises. The sarcophagus was transferred to the crypt, from which they created something like a crypt of Capulet - now it is one of the museum departments.

Working hours:  on Monday from 13:30 to 19:30on other days   from 8:30 to 19:30.

Entrance - 4,50 euro.

"Home of Romeo"  it is considered to be a Gothic mansion of the XIV century, surrounded by a battlement, belonging to the Nogarol family. Before World War II, the house was bought out and handed over to the literary community to organize a museum here, but the war prevented the implementation of these plans. After the house passed into private ownership, and the current owners have no desire to set up a museum here.

Other sights of Verona

But when you find yourself on Piazza d’Erbe  (Grass Square), you will see Verona true and beautiful, medieval and almost fabulous. This market square lies on the site of an ancient forum, from all sides it is surrounded by historical buildings built in the Middle Ages.

Each of them is Verona's landmark: Domus mercatorum  - House of Merchants of the XI-XII century,   Palazzo Maffei  - a baroque palace, built on the site of a medieval building, more than once rebuilt, adjacent to the palazzo on the left clock tower del Gardello,  towering here since 1370, Mazzanti House  XIV century, whose facade is painted with frescoes on the themes of myths, 83-meter lamberti Tower, built in 1172, on which you can climb and see Verona from a bird's eye view (ticket costs 8 eurolift available from 8:30 before 19:30 ) - in a word, a large historical open-air museum. On the square itself stands verona Madonna fountain  XIV century, in which the Madonna used Roman sculpture dating from 380, and marble "Tribune", built in the XIII century, standing up or sitting down in which the podesta took the oath and performed his duties.

Near Piazza d’Erbe is located Piazza della Signoria. It is more restrained in colors, because it has long been the palaces of power structures: Palazzo Dell Podesta, Palazzo dell Rajione  and Loggia of the captains  and in the center of the square stands dante Monument.

A visit to the Palazzo Rajone is included in a single ticket with the Lamberti Tower.

And very close to Signoria Square - an openwork and ornate structure: Scaliger Arches. These are the tombs of three representatives of the Scaliger clan who ruled Verona in the Middle Ages. One of them is built in the form of a tabernacle; it is an insanely beautiful marble structure.

A little further behind the squares of Herbs and Signoria is a beautiful Gothic church of St. Anastasiabuilt in 1290-1481 The church’s decoration has preserved many frescoes, a beautiful mosaic floor, the chapels are decorated with sculptural works of famous Italian masters.

The church is open daily.   from 10:00 to 18:00, on weekends from 13:00 to 18:00. Entrance - 2,50 euro.

After a few blocks on a narrow street you will see a high portal of the facade verona Duomo. The cathedral was founded in the XII century on the site of an older church. The Romanesque style of the portal looks very unusual and attractive: portico columns support winged griffins. In the crypt of the cathedral you can see the ancient marble font. This temple contains many secrets and keeps many masterpieces of human hands.

Among the works stored in the cathedral, there are paintings by Titian and Liberal da Verona.

The cathedral is open from 10:00 to 17:30  (on weekends from 13.00).

Entrance - 5 euro.

  Stone bridge - one of the symbols of Verona

Very close to the Duomo is another Verona calling card - Ponte di Pietra  (A stone bridge). The base of the bridge dates back to 89 A.D. Initially, the bridge was wooden, in 1239 it collapsed, and in its place in 1503 a stone bridge was erected, which again connected the two banks of the Adige. You will exit the bridge from the arch of the tower, on the opposite bank you will see Teatro Romano, an ancient Roman theater in which to this day give performances.

Here and there, on the streets of the center of Verona, you will see the remains of ancient Roman buildings, there is even a preserved Roman pavement. You will see it, standing on a modern road, built on stilts above its predecessor and open for inspection. Some gates of the Roman era have survived. For example, Porta Borsari  - Three-tier gate, serving as the southern entrance to the city.

And beyond Port Borsari, the walls of a medieval Castelvecchio  (Old Castle), built by the family of Della Scala (Scaligers). The castle was built in the XIV century on the site of an ancient fort. The castle was badly damaged in 1796 during an uprising of citizens against looting soldiers of Napoleon's army. In the middle of the XIX century the castle was restored.

  The famous "Swallow Tails" is a favorite architectural motif of northern Italy, as well as the brand name of the Moscow Kremlin

Powerful red brick walls with battlements reminiscent of the battlements of the Kremlin walls, seven watchtowers, the 100-meter Scaliger Bridge, built in 1355, is Castellvecchio’s only connection with the city. The bridge, by the way, is so firmly built that it stood without reconstruction for more than five hundred years.

At the end of World War II, the retreating German troops blew it up. But the bridge was restored according to the preserved drawings in its original form. The beautiful Castellveccio Museum operates in the castle: in its 26 halls, almost all Italian medieval art, Romanesque and medieval sculpture and painting, Renaissance and Baroque art are represented. There is a room with an exhibition of weapons.

The museum is open daily from 8:30 to 19:30, on Mondays from 13:30 to 19:30.

The ticket costs 6 euro.

For convenience and economy, Verona tourist centers offer city guests to buy a Verona Card, with which you can visit many attractions and visit museums without buying a ticket.

There are two types of cards: daily Verona Card 24  by price 18 euro  and two day Verona Card 48  cost 22 euro. On the map you go without a ticket to the Arena di Verona, Lamberti Tower, Juliet's House, Juliet's Tomb and Museum of San Francisco Frescoes, Roman Theater, Archaeological Museum, Church of St. Anastasia, Duomo, Castle and Museum Castelvecchio and several other museums and churches . The card allows you to get a discount on tickets to another five museums.

Buy Verona card  can be at the box office of the above museums and churches, in travel agencies and Tabacchi shops.

Where to stay in Verona

Even if you planned to visit Verona in a day, anything can happen (for example, you wanted to linger here). Therefore, you need to think about overnight. Naturally, we are addressing you to resources www.airbnb.ru  - search for apartments and   www.booking.com  - hotels, hostels, inns, apartments. But we suggest not to dismiss recommendations.

Here are a few hotels in the center of Verona, experienced by many travelers: 3-star hotel Aurora  (its facade looks out on Piazza d’Erbe), night in a double room 140 eurohotel of the same category Milano  (stands near Arena di Verona) - 135 eurohotel Relais 900 - 100 eurohotel Best Western Hotel de Capuleti - 114 eurohotel Bologna - 110 euro. In fact, there are many hotels and small cozy hotels with affordable prices in the center of Verona, so you won’t be left without a roof over your head. Nevertheless, it is better to worry in advance: the tourist flow to Verona is growing year by year. The opera festival contributes to this.

Car rental in Verona

By and large, the car in Verona is not particularly needed. Almost all the sights can be reached on foot - the historic city center is not very large. Yes, and walking here is much more pleasant and convenient. Nevertheless, if you still need a car, here are a few sites where you can order a car in advance: cars-scanner.com, rentalcars.com.

You can rent a car already at Verona Airport: aeroportoverona.it.

Where to eat in Verona

  Pasta - one of the most famous and favorite dishes of Italian cuisine

For experienced travelers, there is an unshakable rule: eat where the inhabitants of the city themselves eat.That is, away from the historical center and hiking trails. It will turn out both tastier and cheaper.

But if you do not have much time in Verona to run around looking for cafes with true Veronians, then we suggest paying attention to the following institutions:

• Trattoria papa e cicia  - here for 11-15 euros you get a full dinner, cooked at home. The trattoria is located on via Seminario 4. It is a 10-minute walk from the city center, on the other side of the Adige;
• Enocibus  - Located very close to the Arena di Verona, on vicolo Pomodoro, 3. This restaurant is kept by a married couple who adheres to the rule of fixing prices, not menus. The main dish and pasta cost 5 euros each, a huge plate of salad −6.5 euros. Everything is prepared according to family recipes, every day something new, plus a huge wine list;
• Osteria Caffe ’MonteBaldo  - Located in close proximity to Piazza d’Erbe. Here, a plate of pasta, a cup of coffee and a glass of wine will cost 13-15 euros, a full lunch, where there are typical dishes of Verona cuisine and extensive Italian cuisine - from 20 euros. Website: osteriamontebaldo.com.

However, all the cafes, trattorias and restaurants of Verona cannot be mentioned - there are too many of them. You certainly won't be hungry.

A day spent in Verona will be able to save you from myths and fall in love with the real Verona, the true beauty of northern Italy.