Fun things to do in Verona

Quite a big part of the medieval townwall of Verona can be still seen nowadays and it was perfectely combined with the buildings built in later centuries - click on my picture and see the windows in the old wall, there is a house on the back of it. Many streets with all of the heavy cartrafic of today are passing through these great medieval towngates and give the town of Verona a special ambiente you will not find at many other places in the world.

Bolca, now 800 m over the sea level, was once a tropical sea. We are talking about the world most important finding of tropical fishes of the geological tertiary period.
More than 240 species of fishes have been found, all perfectly preserved thanks to a thin calcareous rock that has virtually sealed the inhabitants of this 48.000 old laguna.
This fossils museum it is definately worth a visit,considering Bolca is such a small village, the museum is well organised with windowed displays, geographical maps and informations.
The place is fascinating, it is not enough to keep you busy for the whole day, but it can be combined with a walk on the nearby mountains , and a picnic (weather permitting).. Italy is normally quite generous in this way !

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The hill of San Pietro rises on the eastern bank of the river Adige. On the tophill there is a Castle of S. Pietro from where you can enjoy in the magnificient panoramic view of the town. Right below the Castle there is a Roman Theatre, Archeological Museum and the church of Saints Sirius and Libera.

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Like many Italian cities and towns (and villages) there are many architectural pleasures to be spotted and many clues to the age of buidings.

Just make sure you remember to look up; modern shop frontages do not mean the building itself is modern!

Here are a few bits and pieces that I saw on my brief visit...I'm sure you'll find plenty more! :-)

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The Lamberti tower is in the heart of Verona's central historic district. It is over 80 meters high, making it the highest building in the area. You enter it through a courtyard in an old palace near the Piazza dell Erbe. After climbing a few hundred steps (or paying some money and taking the elevator), you reach an observation platform that gives you amazing views of the city.

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When I visited the Teatro Romano, there was a crew of several men and one woman setting up the stage for a new production of the play La putta onorata by Carlo Goldoni (1707-1793).

I didn't see the play (don't know how much I would have understood), but it would have interested me because a number of Goldoni's plays were made into operas during the 18th century.

Second and third photos: Assembling the stage set for the Goldoni play.

Fourth photo: The finished stage set.

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Corte Figaretto is a family run estate in Valpantena, just North of Verona. It is owned by the Bustaggi family.

On my last trip i began to learn about Valpolicella wines by visiting a small
family owned winery on the outskirts of Verona called Corte Figaretto. It is
made from three grape varieties - Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara.

The three types of wine they produce are Valpolicella, Ripasso, and Amarone -
Valpolicella di Amarone is known around the world.

We were fortunate to have a private tour of the estate and its immaculate cellars. The Ripasso was my personal favorite. This type of wine is passed over or "repassed" through the Amarone grapes.

The small estate with vineyards facing south relies on a personal touch of not only the picking of grapes but a gravity system as opposed to a mechanical system.

The family also produces Olive Oil, which is hand picked as well.

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This gateway takes its name from a "Palio" or horserace which used to be run in the vicinity. It was once known as the Porta di San Sisto and is Sanmicheli's masterpiece in his capacity as a military architect.
The outer facade is built of smooth square-hewn stones rigorously partitioned by paired columns, while the inner consists of five openings, in which classical simplicity merges with delightful Mannerist decoration.
The gateway was built between 1542 and 1557.
Stradone Porta Palio, right behind the gateway, leads you in front of Castelvecchio. If you turn on the right in Circonvallazione A. Oriani you can reach to Verona Zoo park.