General Information About Verona
Verona, city, Episcopal see, Veneto region northern Italy. It lies at the foot of the Lessini Mountains, 65 miles (105 km) west of Venice, and is half-encircled by the Adige River.
The city was founded by an ancient tribe (possibly the Euganei or Raeti) and was later occupied by the Gallic Cenomani. It became a Roman colony in 89 bce and rapidly rose in importance because it was at the junction of main roads between Italy and northern Europe.
Verona, in the Veneto region of north-east Italy, is one of Italy's loveliest towns, famous for its summer opera season. This has been a thriving and successful town for most of its history, and today smart shops and cafes fill the attractive medieval lanes of the historic center. Verona is a popular day-trip from Lake Garda, and an appealing destination for weekend breaks or longer stays. There's a lot to see here, from Roman ruins to the so-called 'Juliet's balcony', and the town is also well-connected for exploring the surrounding area, including destinations like Lake Garda, Vicenza, Padua and Venice.
Verona was an important Roman town and is rich in archaeological sites, the grandest of which is the Roman Arena, where operas are now performed in the summer. It's easy to spend a long time simply exploring the narrow streets lined with handsome palazzi that make up the historic center. The town's museums and churches contain fine works of art, while the ruined Roman theater over the river has excellent views from the terraces where the ancients watched plays.
If you're planning a longer stay, or want to see more of Italy, Verona is usefully located for travel to Venice or to lovely Lake Garda. There is a lot to see in this part of Italy, and it is easy to travel around by public transport. Combining Verona with another local destination (perhaps the lake) would make a great and varied two-center holiday.
Although Verona is a primarily residential community, it is also home to commercial areas and factories, making it a wonderful place to raise a family or start or relocate a business. Originally, Verona was a part of Newark, then later a part of Caldwell Township, before initially being incorporated as the Borough of Verona was incorporated in 1907. Located in the valley between the First and Second Watching Mountains, Verona has four elementary schools, a middle school and high school as well as a free public library. Verona was listed No. 3 of "25 Great Towns" by New Jersey Monthly Magazine.
One of the most striking features of the town is Verona Park, part of the Essex County Park system. The 54-acre park was designed by the Olmstead Brothers, and features twin lakes and a picturesque bridge that is a favorite location of wedding photographers during the summer months. There is a modernized, expanded boathouse that is adjacent to the 13-acre lake is used for boating and fishing. Special events including craft shows and concerts are held in the park. At sunrise, joggers and runners make their way through the 1.2-mile course around the lakes, while tennis courts and several playgrounds are used throughout the day.
The Verona Fire Department was organized on May 12, 1909. On June 24, 1997, the new No. 1 firehouse at 880 Bloomfield Ave. was dedicated and put in service, adjacent to the Verona Community Center. There are two companies, Engine Company 1 and Hose Company 2, each with 28 firefighters. The companies are led by a captain, and a lieutenant, who are elected by their fellow company members. The Verona Rescue Squad was organized in 1927, and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2002 with a big parade down Bloomfield Avenue followed by a day full of festivities and special events at the Verona Community Center. We salute all of our neighbors who give of themselves to make Verona the great town that it is today
Things to see
Verona's historic center (centro storico) lies within the town walls in a tight curve of the Adige river. Entering town past the Porta Nuova gateway near the railway station, you head along wide car-filled Corso Porta Nuova before passing through the attractive fourteenth-century arches of the Portoni della Brà and entering the historic part of town. Immediately inside the town wall is Piazza Brà, a large open space dominated by the imposing Roman Arena. Verona's tourist information office is nearby, set in the old town wall to the right. Via Mazzini, an elegant pedestrian street paved with shiny Verona marble, heads straight through the heart of town to Piazza Erbe, Verona's most attractive square. It's a good idea to have a map or guidebook at this point, and to dive into the pretty historic lanes uncovering Verona's charms.
The Romeo and Juliet trail
Shakespeare is extremely unlikely ever to have set foot in Verona. However, his source for the plot of Romeo and Juliet was derived at several removes from an Italian story set in the town, featuring two feuding families with names similar to those of historical Veronese dynasties. So there is a connection, but whether you wish to feel that the real town of Verona has any direct link to Shakespeare's work is up to you. It doesn't stop the town from marketing Romeo and Juliet postcards, mugs, tea-towels, sliding pens and more. There is a busy Shakespearian tourist trail, and (mind-bogglingly) you can post a letter to fictional dead character Juliet at 'Juliet's tomb', or email her at 'Juliet's balcony'. The city organizes various 'romantic' initiatives, including events around Valentine's Day.
Travel to Verona
Verona is very easy to reach from other parts of Italy and Europe. It's on a major railway line - with trains traveling as far as Paris - and the town has an international airport very close by, and several other airports within a couple of hours travel.
Eating and drinking
Osteria, Verona
Verona's two main hubs for sitting down with a drink or a light meal are Piazza Brà and Piazza Erbe. Of the two, Piazza Erbe has a much nicer atmosphere and you'll find lots of locals at the appealing but somewhat pricey bars lining the square. Piazza Brà is more of a thoroughfare where you'll pay a lot for a rather touristy experience. However, if you're in a hurry or on a budget you'll find two useful eating places here - speedy self-service restaurant Brek and the Italian fast food chain Spizzico.
For cheaper or more atmospheric meals, try wandering through the small lanes of the centro storico. Small restaurants and bars are scattered secretively through the center - try spotting them at lunchtime when busy crowds of locals will indicate the best food. A wine bar will often serve a few cheap pasta dishes as well as a range of usually economical wines.
Restaurants
For a charming and authentic feel, join local workers in the cosy little Antica Osteria Al Duomo (Via Duomo, 7; closed Sundays), where you can eat good local dishes and enjoy cheap local wine. Another spot for an atmospheric meal is Piazza Erbe, the attractive market square. Along one side of the piazza is a row of cafe-bar-restaurants where you can sit at outside tables and enjoy a light meal or drinks. These establishments aren't very cheap, but their tables occupy prime positions; it's a lovely spot to sit on a sunny day and watch Verona go by.
For a cheap and filling meal, a good option is the Ristorante-Pizzeria San Matteo Church (Vicolo del Guasto, close to Porta Borsari), which, as its name indicates, is actually located in a former church. There are memorial tablets on the wall, a crypt displayed through glass floor panels, and dinner tables where the high altar would have stood. Locals come here in their lunch hour for a quick self-service meal, but there is also waiter service with a long and varied pizza menu as well as seafood alternatives.
Verona by night
Other good Verona restaurants include the Ristorante Sant'Eufemia (Via Emilei 21), close to the church of the same name. There's a misleadingly off-putting multilingual menu outside but inside the restaurant is like the ground floor of a 19th-century mansion - you sit on fine old chairs - with a serious and secretive air, attentive service and good meals (including house wine) at a modest cost. Ristorante Tabià (Via Zambelli 14; closed Mondays), is a cheerful restaurant serving pizzas in a large, rustic-style interior. Osteria la Vecchia Fontanina (Piazzetta Chiavica, near Piazza Erbe) is is a welcoming and atmospheric place to eat in a central location.
Verona accommodation
Verona has some good central hotels, but it's not a cheap place to stay and it is worth booking in advance. My Verona hotel selection includes an excellent, reliable four-star, some budget options and one or two really special, romantic places to stay.
Everything that is worth knowing about Verona, including insider tips and information, can be found here:
Arrival and departure
If you want to travel to Verona, you have several options: by car, plane or train.
Arriving by car:
Verona is located at the junction between the A22 from Innsbruck over the Brenner Pass to Verona and further south,and the A4 motorway connecting Milan and Venice. The toll fees depend on your route – you can calculate around 7 euros for 100 kilometers. The speed limit on motorways in Italy is 130 km/h – if it’s raining, the limit is reduced to 110 km/h. You should plan a much longer journey time in the summer due to many tourists that heavily congest the motorways, especially on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Arriving by plane:
Verona’s airport “Aeroporto Valerio Catullo di Verona-Villafranca” (VRN) is located about 12 kilometers south of the city. It is connected by regular flights with many European cities. A special shuttle bus runs from 6.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. every 20 minutes between the airport and the city center – estimated costs for a single journey are around 4-5 Euros.
Arriving by train:
Verona is located on the main north-south route between northern Europe and southern Italy. This explains why many of the international trains stop in Verona, allowing for an easy arrival and onward travel.
Evening activities
In addition to numerous bars, discos and clubs – some of them in a stunning setting – Verona offers a rich programme of entertainment for the evening. From June to August, operas are regularly performed in the Roman open-air arena at Piazza Brà. Detailed information and the performance programme can be found at.
In addition to performances of dance, jazz and classical music, many theatres, such as the Teatro Camploy (Via Cantare 32), the Teatro Filarmonico (Via die Mutilati 4k), the Teatro Filippini (Vicolo Dietro Campanile Filippini 1), the Teatro Romano (Rigaste Redentore 2) and the Teatro Nuovo (Piazza Francesco Viviani 10), also put on modern and classical plays.
In the numerous bars, discos and cubs you can enjoy perfect, warm summer evenings while listening to good music. Please bear in mind that in Italy you have to visit these locations dressed elegantly, especially in clubs.
Eating and drinking:
Those looking for a good restaurant in Verona are spoiled for choice. Numerous ristoranti, trattorias, pizzerias, osterias and enotecas are lined up one after another along the busy streets and it’s often very difficult to make a choice. People in Verona, as in other parts of Italy, go for dinner at the earliest at 7 p.m. Breakfast isn’t the highest priority, and lunch is usually a bit smaller than dinner.
Verona’s cuisine is heavily influenced by Venetian cuisine but also has its own peculiarities. In addition to the excellent wines from the region such as Bardolino, Valpolicella and Soave, you should definitely try another famous Veronese specialty: Pastissada de Caval – a stew made of horse meat. The dessert Pan d’oro, a yeast dough pastry with vanilla, is another Veronese specialty and worthwhile trying.
Festivals and events
Those who are in Verona at the right time may have the pleasure of visiting one of the numerous Veronese festivals and events, which fill the city with fresh life and give Verona a very special shine.
Parking
Parking in Verona is a science in its own right - it’s really hard to get one of the rare parking spaces. Basically, parking is only permitted on curbs with white or blue lines. If you park on the blue lined curbs, you have to pay a ticket up to 2 hours at a parking machine - costs per hour are around 1.50 euro. Parking on curbs with a yellow line is not permitted - if you do so, you must expect to pay a ticket or towing charge. Therefore parking in one of the car parks around the city centre comes highly recommended. The following parking garages are appropriate for a visit to the centre of Verona.
Shopping
Verona is a small Mecca for shopping enthusiasts. Shop for shop is lined up in the compact city centre of Verona, and people love to go shopping in the calm pedestrian zone. Piazza Brà and Piazza dell’Erbe are ideal for strolling. However, the main shopping areas are the Via Mazzini, the Via Borsari and the Via Capello. Here you can find many fashion shops and retailers with all kinds of accessories.
Security
Along with the rest of northern Italy, Verona is mostly relatively safe. You don’t have to be more afraid than anywhere else and you can go wherever you want without hesitation. Nevertheless you should not leave any valuables in the car and be careful with your belongings, especially when you are in the middle of large crowds of people. However, should something happen, the numerous police officers in Verona are usually very helpful.
Transport
Driving in Verona is generally not recommended. Traffic is not permitted in the old town, and parking is a major problem in Verona. It is recommended that you leave your car in one of the large multi-store car parks – the sights are all in walking distance so there is no need to drive by car. Access to the old town for dropping off luggage (and only for this!) is permitted on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and from 4. P.m. to 6 p.m and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 1.30. p.m. For journeys outside these times you have to expect very high fines.