Via Cappello, 23, 37121 Verona VR
A day among the symbolic places of Shakespeare's masterpiece
The most famous love story in the world, that of Romeo and Juliet, is notoriously set in Verona. The plot is not the fruit of William Shakespeare's imagination - it is probably one of the many versions of the story that circulated in Europe at the time - but it is thanks to him that from 1597 the world became passionate about the tragic fate of the two lovers.
The story of the two Montecchi and Capuleti takes place around 1303 in Verona and revolves around some of the places that later became the most iconic of the city of Verona. The story of the two lovers is deeply linked to the city, where even today it is possible to admire the famous balcony at Juliet's house. A short distance away is also Romeo's house, Juliet's tomb, and Piazza delle Erbe.
In Montecchio Maggiore, in the province of Vicenza, there are the castles of Romeo and Juliet. A perfect opportunity to start from Lake Garda and in just a few kilometers find yourself immersed in a one-day tour in the footsteps of history.
JULIET'S HOUSE IN VERONA
Juliet's house is located in Via Cappello 23. Very famous for her balcony overlooking the internal courtyard, it also houses the statue of the girl, who was born here on 16 September 1284 and who spent most of her life there. The statue is a copy of the original by Nereo Costantini and is located in the courtyard of the house: legend has it that it is good luck to express a promise of love and touch the right breast of the statue. The balcony, which according to tradition hosted the famous clandestine meetings between the two lovers, is located in the internal courtyard and is an essential stop for lovers visiting Verona.
JULIET'S TOMB
Juliet's tragic end is universally known, but perhaps not everyone knows where she rests. Housed in the former convent of San Francesco al Corso of the Capuchin friars, the tomb of the unfortunate Capuleti – a red marble sarcophagus – can still be visited today inside the Museo degli affreschi G.B. Cavalcaselle (Via Luigi da Porto 5). Not far away (Via da Porto 6) Romeo's body should also be found, but this information is not historically verified.
ROMEO'S HOUSE
If the place where the hero of the Shakespearean tragedy is buried is not certain, the one where he lived is. It is a medieval palace in the heart of Verona, in via Arche Scaligere 5, the historic home of the Montecchi until the beginning of the 14th century.
Currently the house is private and access is forbidden, but on the wall, it is possible to admire a marble plaque bearing a fragment of the first act of Shakespeare's work: "Oh! Where is Romeo? … Shut up, I have lost myself: I am not here and I am not Romeo, Romeo is elsewhere” (Act I Scene I Romeo and Juliet)
THE CASTLES OF ROMEO AND JULIET
The origins of the story of the two Veronese lovers would go back to their respective castles in the municipality of Montecchio Maggiore: these are two small manors, the Castello della Villa (Romeo's) and the Bellaguardia Castle (Juliet's). It seems that their position, so close but so opposite, inspired the novella "Historia novellamente ritrovata" by Luigi da Porto, which in turn inspired Shakespeare in drafting his own tragedy.
