Ancient Roman city of Verona:
The exact date of the founding of the settlement on the site of modern Verona is unknown. Perhaps there was a village of Etruscans or Euganei here. It is known for certain that in 89 BC Verona became a Roman colony. The period after the fall of the Roman Empire (5th-7th century) was quite eventful. However, traces of the Roman Empire remain to this day, and you will be able to see them with your own eyes:
The “Arena” amphitheater is the main attraction of Verona and one of the largest amphitheaters ever built by the Romans. The Arena was built in the 1st century for gladiatorial fights. Most of the outer ring of the amphitheater was damaged during the earthquake of 1117, but the interior has been well preserved;
The Gavi Arch, under which the Postumia road passes, is the oldest in northern Italy, with ruts from chariots;
The Roman fortification wall of the 3rd century AD was an important defensive curtain wall equipped with numerous towers and monumental gates, built in several successive stages. The first stage of construction began around the second half of the 1st century BC. Today, only a few archaeological ruins of the walls remain, while the two main entrances, Porta Borsari and Porta Leoni, have been better preserved;
Porta Borsari is an ancient Roman gate that served as the entrance to the city of Verona. It is a three-tiered white stone structure built in the 1st century AD, and it still impresses with its preservation;
Porta Leoni – the original name of the gate remains a mystery, in the Middle Ages they were called Porta San Fermo, and the current name was acquired from the sculptures of lions that adorned the tympanum of a nearby tomb. The Porta Leoni gate adjoins a brick wall, which is a fragment of the ancient Roman gate from the 1st century BC;
The Madonna of Verona statue – Fountain of the Veronese Madonna. It is considered one of the oldest not only in Verona but also in all of Italy: it was built in 1368. Antique artifacts were used in the construction of the fountain. The figure of the Madonna is a surviving statue from the Roman Capitol, which was slightly modified by a local sculptor;
Marble Roman roads in the city center (the only example in northern Italy of a road made of marble from that era);
Ancient Roman stone bridge – an arch bridge over the Adige River. The bridge was built around 89 BC. Originally called the Marmoreus bridge, it later received its current name after renovations;
Theater of the 1st century BC – an ancient Roman theater built in the last quarter of the 1st century BC. It is one of the best-preserved theaters in northern Italy;
The archaeological museum on the hill – was opened in 1923 in the premises of the old monastery of St. Gerolamo, on the hill from where there is a wonderful view of the stone bridge and the city. The museum exhibits finds from all over Verona and nearby areas: mosaics, statues, tablets, ceramic, glass, and bronze items;
If desired, lunch in a restaurant where the ruins of ancient Roman structures have been preserved (now the wine cellar of the restaurant).
