Verona train station
Ponte Pietra stretching across the Adige River
Entrance to Castelvecchio Museum via the Moat
Juliet's roomA nice mix
What you see here is the view from the archeological museum which, to my surprise and delight, was free. "Libero" the man said and, in I walked.
It's on many different levels with architecture from many ages on the actual site (including some Palladio).
The bridge shown here dates from the first century in Roman times, the only one of three to survive, and was refurbished by the Scaligeris then rebuilt after being severely damaged in the Second World War. The following is the Email I sent home:
"VERONA
A nothing kind of a day, a nothing kind of a place.
It was drizzling, at times raining but mostly drizzle. Every day of the holiday, bar one, it has either snowed, hailed or rained, mostly the former.
It was 2 degrees when I pulled up and started walking, firstly over the splendid Castelvecchio Bridge. It's part of an old castle that crosses the Adige River that bisects the town. With the Castle Museum closed for two days I digress to search for Giardino Giusto, getting lost en route without a quality map. (Regular readers will notice how it is never me that is at fault in this area!)
After about half an hour I find the Renaissance garden, no one in attendance at the entrance gate, and wander through the delightfully manicured hedges and statuary to my heart's content. Judging by the lack of footprints I gather I'm the first in today. I exit without anyone in attendance at the gate still.
I progress to the archaeological museum and ask the price. "Libero", I am told. This is turning out to be a cheap day, which partly makes up for the depressing weather.
The accumulated bits and pieces on about five different levels are interesting without being spectacular though the views from the top level are the best to be had in Verona.
This city also has the third largest Roman arena which has been returned to active use since 1913 for concerts and such and is currently undergoing refurbishing. After that, the one must see is Piazza Erbe, one of Italy's finest piazzas resplendent with 83 metre tower (a real neck strainer), fountain, palace and some walls with faded frescoes. It's all a bit special except the Americans have found it and they are there by the busload, literally, and their loud voices echo throughout the restaurant I'm dining at Piazza Erbe. Not to worry, soon I will be outside in the rain again!"
