Verona Local Custom Tips by sandysmith Top 5 Page for this destination

Romeo and Juliet Legends Review

Of course Verona is associated with the tale of Romeo and Juliet. which takes place in 1303. At the height of the Scaliger dynasty two of the most prominent waring families fighting for domination of the city were the Capulets and the Montagues ...but did they really exist?? Well in ancient chronicles of Verona there is no mention of the CAPULET family but there was a DAL CAPPELLO family (related to San Bonifacio family, sworn enemies of the Montagues) who lived since the 13th century in the palazzo known today as Juliet's House and visited by thousands of people.

Shakespeare's Tale?? Legends Review

Not many people know though that it was Count Luigi Da Porta (1485-1529) who first wrote the immortal tale, "La Guilietta", written in 1524 but not published until 1531, two years after his death. It is claimed that the Count was told a true story of the two tragic lovers by a soldier who served with him in the Venetian Republic army. Count Luigi was thus the first to give literay form to the famous story but of course it was Shakespeare's artisit expression of the tragedy in 1596 that is most well known.

The Wish Tree Legends Review

In the grounds of the monaastery where Juliet's grave can be found (see off the beaten path tip) is this so called wish tree.
Messages of good will and love adorn the tree with this poem by Marina Begnini :
"Hang your wish on a tree, it will be
Kissed by the sun
Caressed by the Moon
Wet by the rain
Lit by the star"

Verona Pass Verona Pass Review

It was surprising to learn that several of Verona's churches and the Duomo had an entrance fee so If you're planning to visit several churches and museums invest in a Verona Pass but remember nearly everything is closed on Mondays. Verona Card valid for one day costs 8 Euro three days costs 12 Euro - for free entry to museums, churches and monuments in the city and free travel on the local AMT bus services.
Over 3 days we visited 9 of the 15 valid attractuions (such as Juliet's house, tomb, the arena and the lamberti tower) and had saved on our euros.