The centrally located Piazza Bra is an excellent starting point to visit Verona. The most famous building and symbol of the city, the Arena, is located in this square and it is surrounded by several interesting and beautiful buildings. The tourist office is locates across the square from the Arena.
Piazza Bra Verona
Address and public transport
Address: Piazza Bra – Verona. Public transport: Bus: 11, 12, 13, 72, 90, 92, 93, 96, 97, 98, 510.
Events
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Attractions
Arena
Piazza Bra is of course dominated by the Arena, one of the largest preserved and best preserved amphitheaters of classical antiquity, where during the summer months operas are performed.
Liston
The Liston is located on the north-west side of Piazza Bra. This is a wide pavement made of pink stone that was laid in the 18th century. The stately buildings facing the Liston almost without exception have eateries, cafes and pizzerias on the ground floor.
Gran Guardia
The Gran Guardia is a monumental building on the Piazza Bra. Although construction had already begun in 1610, work had to be interrupted and it was not completed until 1853. It has two floors and a penthouse and is about 90 meters wide. Thirteen large arches support the ground floor. The windows are separated by semi-columns and have alternating triangular and curved tympanums.
Palazzo Barbieri
The Palazzo Barbieri is named after its designer, the architect Giuseppe Barbieri. The neo-classical building was constructed between 1836 and 1848, when Verona was part of the Austrian Empire. Its design is based on the classical Roman temples.
City wall
The walls on the right date from the 14th century, when the Longobards ruled Verona.
Statue Vittorio Emanuele II
The statue depicting Vittorio Emanuele II was placed here in 1883 to commemorate his death 5 years earlier.
Fountain of the Alps
The Fontana delle Alpi (Fountain of the Alps) behind the statue stands amidst centuries-old fir trees. It is a fairly recent addition as it has only been there since 1975. The “struca limoni” (the nickname of the fountain, which is likened to a lemon squeezer) is a reminder of the twin city of Verona, Munich.
Other interesting buildings
The Palazzo Ottolini is located at n.26 and right next to it is Palazzo Guglienzi, which has a “Madonna and Child” on its facade made by Morone. The fresco on the Palazzo Righetti (n. 18) is by Carroto. Next to the Palazzo Righetti is the Palazzo Malfatti Honorij. This dates from the 16th century and was designed by Sanmicheli, who wanted to refer to the Arena across the road with his choice of material. At n.10 is the Casa Faccioli, a neo-classicist building characterised by a facade with Ionic columns interspersed with windows with tympanums.