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Verona

Verona Italy Luxury Travel - Verona Travel Guide

O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? According to Shakespeare, Romeo is wooing Juliet in the fabulous city of Verona! Used as a setting by Shakespeare in three of his plays - The two Gentlemen of Verona, The Taming of the Shrew, and Romeo and Juliet, Verona encompasses magnificent historic sights, artistic tradition and cultural variety that span the centuries.

Verona Highlights

• Rich history
• Historical landmarks
• Exquisite museums
• Traditional cuisine
• Fine Arts - Theater

Verona History

Verona emerged from obscurity as a Roman colony, due to its pivotal location on the crossroads of Northern Italy. Little is known about the history of Verona in the early stages, but due to its advantageous location the city prospered from trading and banking. Verona fell into the hands of the Goths in 489 AD and remained under their rule for approximately 60 years. After being annexed by the Lombards, Verona underwent a turbulent period in history where internal politics and power struggles lead to several changes in leadership. The Scaligeri family that ruled Verona from 1263 managed to bring some much needed peace to the city, although their original tactics to enforce dominance can only be regarded as brutal. Verona’s rulers continued to expand their power and wealth though several purchases of neighboring cities such as Parma and Lucca. After a series of internal power struggles and family feuds that severely weakened the city, Verona was conquered by the Visconti of Milan in 1387. Although Verona would be governed by Venice and by the Emperor Maximilian I, it was the plague that dealt the largest blow to the city, killing almost 60 percent of the population in one year. Verona would become part of the Napoleonic and Austrian Empires, and ultimately of the Kingdom of Italy in 1866. The darkest times of the city were to be lived with the onset of fascism in 1938, when the large Jewish population of Verona would be persecuted and deported to concentration camps.