Romeo's House in Verona

Romeo and Juliet

The most famous love story in the history of literature is undoubtedly that of Romeo AND Juliet, the immortal work of William Shakespeare. As everyone knows, the action takes place in the Italian city of Verona, which many travelers visit to follow in the footsteps of the two opposing families: the Montagues and the Capulets.

Probably the corner of Verona most frequented by tourists is the famous Juliet's Balcony (which you can see in the image that heads the post). On the other hand, the Romeo's house.

La Casa de Romeo is located at number 2 of Via Arche Scagliere, in the heart of the historic center of Verona. It is an elegant medieval palace built at the end of the XNUMXth century.

According to historians this formidable palace was the home of an aristocrat named Cagnolo Nogarola. The reason why it became known as the House of Romeo is not known, especially if we take into account that both he and his beloved are fictional characters.

Romeo's house, a medieval fortress

An explanation could be this: although the Montague family did not exist in Verona, there was another important lineage in the city during the time in which the work takes place, that of the Montecchi. This family would have had their residence in the same neighborhood where the current Casa de Romeo is located. Who knows if this fact was known to Shakespeare in his day and if it would have inspired him to "invent" the Montague lineage.

Romeo AND Juliet

Juliet's house in Verona (Italy)

So that the address does not go unnoticed by tourists, on the facade of the building you can read the next inscription, a fragment of the play taken from the first scene of the first act:

Oh! Where is Romeo? ... Shut up, I am lost: I am not here and I am not Romeo, Romeo is elsewhere » 

More than a palace, the House of Romeo should be considered as a fortress. The facade is shown with the appearance of a solid wall, while the upper part is topped by a tower, considered an important symbol of wealth and power.

romeo house

Romeo's house in Verona (Italy)

This form of construction dates back to the times when Italy was divided into small feudal states  which in turn were ruled by powerful families pitted against each other. Hard times. The truth is that the rivalry between Montagues and Capulets that the English playwright described so well in his work is a good reflection of this historical reality.

Bad news for restless travelers: Romeo's House is private property and cannot be visited. Actually, the interior of the palace is inhabited. However, nothing prevents you from being able to admire its spectacular Gothic façade and imagine that some of the most famous scenes from "Romeo and Juliet" could have taken place on this site.

Verona, romantic city

For almost everyone, Verona is the city of Romeo and Juliet, but in reality it is a destination full of attractions and interesting places to visit. After passing through Juliet's Balcony and Romeo's House, there is still much to discover in this romantic city. Here are some suggestions:

Verona Italy

Verona, a romantic destination and scene in the fiction of the impossible love between Romeo and Juliet

The historic center of the city, embraced by a great meander of the adige river, offers wonderful walks through its old stone streets. The most interesting of the Veronese old town is concentrated there and almost everywhere can be reached on foot.

Among the essential visits we must mention the Duomo, the old castle or Castelvecchio, Basilica of San Zenón beautiful wave Delle erbe square, in which the Lamberti Tower. This is one of the most emblematic places in Verona as well as offering an excellent viewpoint 80 meters above the ground.

No less iconic is the Stone Bridge, which preserves its medieval essence intact. This bridge is one of the most photographed places in the city. So is the l'Arena di Verona,, an ancient Roman amphitheater that is the pride of the Veronese. He is often called "the little brother of the Colosseum", although he is not that small. In fact, it is the second largest Roman amphitheater in Europe, only surpassed in size by that of the Italian capital.

Verona is located in the province of Veneto, in northeastern Italy. Its strategic location allows the traveler to enjoy beautiful excursions during their stay. For example, only ten kilometers to the west await us the wonderful alpine landscapes of the Lake Garda. In the opposite direction, just an hour's drive by train, you will find Venice, the city of canals. Another five-star romantic destination.


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