Verona Tours

10/09/2026

Back to The Balcony
THE BALCONY YET AGAIN: THE STORY BEHIND VERONA' S MOST POPULAR HIGLIGHT.
If you have ever strolled through the historic center of Verona, you have likely been swept toward the city’s most photographed landmark: Juliet’s Balcony. While it feels ancient and romantic—as if Shakespeare himself had stood beneath it—the reality is a fascinating blend of theatrical artifice and bold imagination.

The balcony is a modern invention masterminded by Antonio Avena, an early 20th-century cultural administrator who understood the enduring power of myth. Faced with a medieval building that had no historical connection to the star-crossed lovers, Avena transformed it into a tangible stage for drama. Using a fragment of a Gothic sarcophagus and a keen sense of storytelling, he crafted an icon that made the tragedy feel "truer than true."

Knowing this history actually enriches the experience. To appreciate the balcony, timing is essential. We recommend visiting early in the morning before the courtyard fills with tour groups. If you are visiting in July or August, try to catch one of the staged performances of Romeo and Juliet in the courtyard; watching actors revive the legendary scene is unexpectedly moving.

For a quieter, more intimate encounter, winter is Verona's secret season. On cold evenings, as the crowds thin and the air carries the scent of warm wine from nearby cafés, the balcony returns to being a powerful symbol rather than a mere spectacle.

Strolling with William Shakespeare in Verona: passion, courage, tenderness

11/08/2026

Back to The Balcony
The balcony yet again: the story behind Verona’s most popular highlight!

If you’ve ever strolled through Verona’s historic center, you’ve probably been swept along toward the city’s most photographed spot: Juliet’s balcony.

It feels ancient, romantic, and somehow inevitable, as if Shakespeare himself had stood beneath it.

Yet the truth is far less fairytale and far more theatrical.

The balcony is, quite simply, a modern invention.
Its mastermind was Antonio Avena, a bold and imaginative early-20th-century cultural administrator who understood the power of myth.

Faced with a medieval building that had nothing to do with star-crossed lovers, Avena reshaped it into what visitors yearned to see: a tangible stage for Shakespeare’s drama. With a fragment of a Gothic sarcophagus, some architectural improvisation, and a keen sense for storytelling, he crafted an icon that made the tragedy “truer than true.”

Knowing this doesn’t diminish the experience: if anything, it enriches it.

To see the balcony, timing is everything.

Come early in the morning, before the courtyard fills with tour groups.

If you’re visiting in July or August, try to catch one of the staged performances of Romeo and Juliet in the courtyard: watching actors revive the very scene into existence is unexpectedly moving, a blend of artifice and authenticity that Verona wears beautifully.

For a quieter, more intimate encounter, winter is the secret season.
On cold evenings, when the crowds thin and the air carries the smell of warm wine from nearby cafés, the balcony returns to being a symbol rather than a spectacle.

It’s in these quieter months that the site feels closest to what Shakespeare intended: not historically accurate, perhaps, but emotionally honest.

And ultimately, that’s the magic Avena created: a place where fiction and cityscape merge, inviting visitors to suspend disbelief for just a moment and let the story breathe.

10/08/2026

A living workshop where the eloquent languages of glass, bronze, stone, and marble converge.

RENAISSANCE IN ACTION!
Founded by Maestro Albano Poli in 1950s Verona, this atelier is a modern reinterpretation of a Renaissance bottega, where masterful hands marry centuries-old techniques with contemporary design.

What began as a stained-glass restoration studio has evolved into a full-spectrum sanctuary for Italian craftsmanship, specializing in mosaics, frescoes, lost-wax bronze casting, and hand-carved marble. The studio’s global reputation is built on material truth and patience; Maestro Poli has been entrusted with prestigious liturgical works for the Vatican, including handcrafted bronze bas-reliefs and marble elements for the papal ambo.

From high-profile ecclesiastical projects to commissions for world-renowned architects like PETER MARINO , each piece created here is an argument for beauty. Whether it is a hand-cut glass panel refracting light or a spiraled marble column carved by a single artisan, the work embodies the studio’s motto: Il Rinascimento in opera

Despite its international footprint, the atelier maintains a quiet, monastic humility focused entirely on the art. If you are a lover of rare craft and wish to see where tradition is reborn into fresh, lasting forms, we invite you to experience this hidden gem.

Contact us at [email protected] to inquire about a private visit to the atelier. We will do our best to make it happen for you!

Plan your trip with our tips: we help you optimise time and money

11/07/2026

Why Verona has become a UNESCO World Heritage City? For its extraordinary city walls!

In the year 2000 Verona was officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Many of our visitors assume Verona earned its UNESCO status thanks to the Arena or its romantic association with Shakespeare. But while those icons certainly shape the city’s global image, they are not the reason UNESCO placed Verona among the world’s cultural treasures.

What makes Verona unique—exceptional enough to merit UNESCO recognition—are its incredible 10 kilometers of city walls, stretching both across the flatlands on the right bank of the Adige and up into the Torricelle hills.
These walls are far more than fortifications: they are a living timeline carved in stone. In one continuous urban embrace, you can read the history of the city through its Roman, Medieval, Venetian, and Austrian defensive structures.

Because of this layered architecture, Verona stands as one of the clearest examples of a fortified city that evolved over many centuries without ever losing its identity.
The walls tell the story of a city that expanded outward in rings—much like the growth rings of a tree trunk—each era adding its own imprint while preserving what came before.

We think it’s worth remembering that Verona’s true heritage lies not only in monuments or myths, but in the remarkable continuity and resilience of its urban landscape.
The walls that have protected Verona for over two millennia still surround it today—quiet, powerful witnesses to the city’s unfolding story.
If you wish to explore the hill part of the wall, you can book our E-bike tour or our Trek tour.

10/07/2026

While many visitors believe this status is due to the Roman Arena or Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet the true reason for this global recognition lies in the city’s extraordinary urban landscape and defensive systems THE HEART OF VERONA'S UNESCO STATUS IS ITS 10 KILOMETERS OF HISTORIC WALLS STRETCHING ACROSS THE ADIGE AND UP TO THE TORRICELLE HILLS.

In 2000 Verona was officially added to the UNESCO World Heritage List
These fortifications serve as a living timeline showcasing over 2,000 years of architectural evolution where you can witness a seamless transition between Roman foundations Medieval expansions Venetian engineering and Austrian structures Verona is one of the world’s finest examples of a fortified city that evolved in concentric rings—much like the growth rings of a tree This layered history reflects the remarkable resilience of its urban fabric preserving its identity through centuries of change

We think it’s worth remembering that Verona's true heritage lies not only in monuments or myths, but in the remarkable continuity and resilience of its urban landscape.

The walls that have protected Verona for over two millennia still surround it today as quiet and powerful witnesses to the city’s unfolding story We invite you to experience the hidden history of the hills and the majestic fortifications firsthand by joining our Verona Trek Tour to explore these architectural treasures along the panoramic skyline

Verona and the hills: downtown visit and easy hike on the city hills

15/06/2026

Between Armistice and Liberation: Verona’s Darkest Years
Bellum omnium contra omnes- all against all: WW2 last years in Verona

The period between the Armistice of September 8, 1943, and the liberation of northern Italy in 1945 was one of the most turbulent and painful chapters in Italian history. Verona, in particular, became a strategic center for the newly-born Italian Social Republic—better known as the Republic of Salò—and for this reason it experienced some of the harshest aspects of the regime repression.

One of the most symbolic events of those months was the Verona Trial of January 1944, where former Fascist leaders who had voted against Mussolini were condemned. Several of them were executed by firing squad shortly afterward in the Forte Procolo barracks.
At the same time, the city hosted key Gestapo offices and a network of Fascist prisons where political prisoners, partisans, and Jews were interrogated, tortured, and held in often brutal conditions.

Verona also became a crucial transit point in the machinery of deportation. In the district of Montorio a large collection and sorting center operated as a gateway to concentration camps. From here, thousands of Jews, prisoners of war, and political detainees were loaded onto trains bound for Germany and Eastern Europe.

Not all stories from this time are defined by darkness. Nearby Pescantina would later receive a Gold Medal of Civil Merit for the assistance offered to survivors returning from the camps—an act of humanity that stands in stark contrast to the cruelty surrounding it.

Because Verona served as such a strategic hub for the Republic of Salò—militarily, politically, and logistically—the local Resistance faced enormous challenges. German and Fascist control was tight, surveillance was constant, and arrests were frequent. Yet, despite these dangers, small partisan groups continued to organize, pass information, and sabotage enemy operations, laying the groundwork for Liberation Day.

If you have a specific interest in this part of Italian history, we are happy to plan a customized itinerary for your party. Write to us at [email protected]

10/06/2026

Bellum omnium contra omnes- all against all: WW2 last years in Verona

BETWEEN ARMISTICE AND LIBERATION: VERONA'S DARKEST YEARS

Explore the profound WWII history of Verona, a city that served as a strategic pillar for the Republic of Salò between 1943 and 1945. As a key administrative center for Mussolini’s Italian Social Republic (RSI), Verona witnessed some of the most intense fascist repression and N**i occupation in Northern Italy.
Key Historical Landmarks & Events
The Verona Trial (1944): Learn about the historic trial of Fascist leaders at the Castelvecchio and their subsequent ex*****on at the Forte Procolo barracks.
Gestapo Headquarters & Prisons: Discover the locations of former N**i-Fascist interrogation centers where partisans and political prisoners were held.
Resistance and Resilience
Despite constant surveillance, the Italian Resistance in Verona remained a vital force, conducting acts of sabotage to prepare for Liberation Day. In contrast to the era's darkness, the nearby town of Pescantina stands as a symbol of hope, earning a Gold Medal of Civil Merit for its heroic support of Holocaust survivors.
Custom WWII Historical Tours
Are you interested in a deep dive into 20th-century Italian history? We specialize in customized WWII itineraries for private groups.

Contact us: [email protected] to book your historical tour today.

Customizable Verona private tours by local official licensed and experienced guides Valeria Biasi and Lorella Mostacchi. Contacts us to book your private Verona tour.

02/06/2026

From crackers to books: the Provianda Santa Marta in Verona.

Hidden in the vibrant Veronetta district, on left bank of the Adige in Verona, stands an unassuming but profoundly meaningful building: the former Gallettificio of Santa Marta.

Built by the Austrians between 1863 and 1865, this complex originally served as a massive military bakery, churning out bread and hardtack for the imperial army.

Today, it’s been reborn as part of the University of Verona, housing lecture halls, a modern library, and a rich cultural life.

The transformation of this austere military installation into a lively academic hub is the work of architect Massimo Carmassi, working with Gabriella Ioli Carmassi.

Their restoration stayed deeply respectful to the building’s industrial past — silos, old ovens, and thick stone walls were carefully preserved and adapted for new uses.
In 2015, their work earned the prestigious Gold Medal for Italian Architecture at the Triennale di Milano.

But Santa Marta has also become a place for Art: in fact from 2021, Santa Marta houses an art collection, belonging to local collector Giorgio Fasol.
The collection — known as Contemporanee / Contemporanei — includes over 80 works by emerging contemporary artists, such as Giulio Paolini, Eva Marisaldi, Rodolfo Aricò, and Loris Cecchini.

The art works are on display in Santa Marta during the university’s opening days, inviting both students and visitors to explore a dialogue between architecture, history, and contemporary creativity.

Veronetta itself is a lively, student-filled neighborhood, and Santa Marta stands as one of its most dynamic anchors.

If you are inspire and wish to look into this hidden gem — either on our Multiday Verona City Tour or the Verona E-Bike Tour.
We’ll guide you through the halls of Santa Marta, share stories of its transformation, and help you appreciate how a cracker factory became one of Verona’s most inspiring cultural sites!

10/05/2026

Provianda Santa Marta
SANTA MARTA ART COLLECTION

Nestled in the trendy Veronetta district on the left bank of the Adige River, the Santa Marta Gallettificio is a must-see site blending military history with modern culture.

Originally built by the Austrians between 1863 and 1865 as a massive military bakery for the imperial army, this industrial complex has undergone a stunning architectural transformation. Today, it serves as a vibrant campus for the University of Verona, featuring lecture halls and a modern library.

Award-Winning Architecture & Contemporary Art
The renovation, led by architects Massimo and Gabriella Ioli Carmassi, earned the prestigious Gold Medal for Italian Architecture in 2015. By preserving the original silos and rugged stone walls, they created a unique dialogue between the building’s past and its new academic life.

Since 2021, Santa Marta has also become a top destination for art lovers. It houses the Contemporanee / Contemporanei collection, featuring over 80 works by acclaimed artists like Giulio Paolini and Eva Marisaldi.

Visit Santa Marta on a Verona City Tour
Experience the unique atmosphere of the Veronetta neighborhood. You can explore this fascinating "cracker factory" turned cultural hub on our Multiday Verona City Tour or our popular Verona E-Bike Tour. Join us to uncover the stories behind one of Italy’s most inspiring industrial heritage sites!

To visit this art collection during one of our tours: [email protected]

Verona deserves more than 1 day: consider this 2-Day tour

01/05/2026

Lessinia: Italy’s Vermont (But Don’t Expect “Wow” Moments)
Good food and remoteness in the Verona Pre-Alps district: Lessinia mountains!

Just a 30-minute drive north of Verona lies Lessinia, the mountainous stretch of the province that locals quietly adore and outsiders rarely hear about.

If we had to capture it in a phrase, we would call it “the Vermont of Italy”—a place of rolling pastures, local stone chalets, slow rhythms, and an unmistakable sense of rural honesty.

But unlike the glossy destinations crafted for international visitors, Lessinia doesn’t try to impress you.
In fact, it’s almost proud of not having any dramatic, Instagram-ready “wow” moments.

What you’ll find instead is space—sometimes empty, sometimes desolate, always authentic.
Lessinia villages are built around weekend escapes, family hikes, and generations-old summer retreats for Veronese locals.

The landscape is shaped by cows, seasons, and... human stubbornness!

And the food?
As genuine as the people and the scenery.
Take the famous gnocchi sbatùi, invented long before potatoes ever reached Europe—soft, comforting dumplings made with flour and lots of melted butter.
Speaking of butter, the dairy culture here is its own world: malga milk and butter, cheeses shaped by altitude and patience.
The two local stars are Cimbro cheese and Monte Veronese, the only DOP cheese of the entire province—a protected symbol of centuries-old craftsmanship.

Lessinia may not dazzle you at first sight, but give it a few quiet hours and it will reveal its charm: subtle, sincere, and deeply rooted.

If you feel inspired by this kind of landscape, we suggest you take a look at our Verona Pre Alps tour and we will be happy to meet you.


Photo credit: Marco Malvezzi