Ward Family Vacations

Italy 2001

Verona

After visiting the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel we left out on motor coach to go to Florence.  On the way there we made several stops, the first one being in Verona.  Verona is famous for the story of Romeo and Juliet.  We went to the balcony at Ni 23 in Verona which was said to be Juliet's house. There is a statute of Juliet that you can rub for good luck, or can read all of the scribbled love graffiti written on the walls.  Juliet's tomb was also in Verona but we did not get that far.  

The arena (they do not call it colosseum) is intact and said to be one of the best preserved structures of its kind.   It was built in 30 A.D. and was made of beautiful white and pink limestone but after an earthquake in 1177 all but the outer ring was destroyed.  It began to be repaired and made into a viable forum for theatre and games during the Rennaisance.  It has fantastic acoustics and many operas are performed there.