When we were back at the train station from the speedy visit to Lake Garda, we walked into Verona city centre - which was only about five minutes around the corner. When you get there you walk into a huge square which is surrounded with restaurants and the Arena Di Verona. In the centre is a small park where you can rent bikes to go around the city on, but there was some big up front cost so we stuck to walking.
We did have a look at the Arena but you had to pay to get in which was fine but we wanted to get to the museum of Juliet's house from Romeo and Juliet before it closed. But when I return I am definitely going to go and watch one of the live productions of the play there, it is on my bucket list for sure. I have heard that on the first Friday of every month it is free to get in? So hopefully I can tailor the next trip around that! It is so cool that it is still standing after twenty plus centuries. I did do some googling when I was there because I noticed there was a outer ring still standing which I managed to take a picture of...
Apparently it is what is still standing after a earthquake in 1117 I believe? And then the stone that fell was used for other buildings in the city. But do correct me if I am wrong! I am trying my best to pick up on as much history as I can haha! After we explored the square we went on in search of Casa Di Giuletta. We walked through the stretch of shops to get there and there really is all sorts. All the designer shops mixed in with little tobacconists and gift shops. We found a market on the way too which sells anything and everything with the word Verona on as well as many Romeo and Juliet themed merchandise.
Then we found it! Ok so being English I have studied Shakespeare since I was a kid but I have always loved all of his works and his creativity is what played a huge part in me picking English Literature as a degree SO can you imagine how I was feeling at this point? Yes I was totally fan girling over him and Juliet's house. So the play is based on two families that lived in Verona and I'm sure you do not need me to tell you that they were the Montagues and the Capulets and this house was supposedly where the person Juliet is based on lived. When you walk in you walk through a sort of ally that has walls covered from top to bottom in lovers names declaring that there relationships are forever... which some will cringe at but I love the idea.
Then you come into the court yard which is where the famous love lock gate is and the gold statue of Juliet. Everyone and I mean everyone who was there was rubbing the statue's boob and at first I was thinking well that is pretty weird considering in the play she is described as being thirteen years old, then we were in the gift shop and they were selling key rings of her boob so I had to ask! Apparently it is supposed to bring you good luck which I have never heard before, even so I still didn't take that plunge. Then we went in the house and it was only about three euros for a student ticket.
The main thing to do is see the iconic balcony from the play so we all took turns taking pictures of each other on there, as you can see from my classic look into yonder distance pose. But I am really glad I can say I have done it! Then we had a look around the rest of the house and found the computers where you can type a letter to Juliet or you can hand write one and post it in a mail box provided. I think the myth is by writing a letter 'to Juliet' is supposed to give you luck in regards to your relationship or love life. You are asked to leave your email address at the end but I have not had a reply yet haha!
But it really is a beautiful landmark to go and visit right in the heart of the city. I picked up a few postcards and a poster of the love lock gate for some memorabilia. Outside the front there is actually a shop where you can buy padlocks and get them engraved if you want to follow the tradition and leave one there with your loved one. Unfortunately my boyfriend was two hundred miles away so I gave that activity a miss haha!
After this we went to get some food! We went back to the original square we were in and I had my very first carbonara which was sooooo good. We all got a deal which was a dish and a drink for ten euros so it was worth it! And the waiter was trying to teach us Italian the whole time which was pretty amusing as we were all coming out with all different accents. Then we went to find Romeo's house but found out it is actually privately owned so we couldn't in the end, so we stopped for a well needed espresso break instead.
We carried on walking around and went up to the castle to get some good pictures from above the city! By now it was dark so we just strolled around all the bridges that run over the river. The city is so beautiful especially in the evening when all the lights reflect off the water.
I did get a few pictures but my phone died and then my camera died so I definitely need to invest in a portable charger for all these amazing places I need to take pictures of! After walking around all day we got the coach home about ten at night and we pretty much all collapsed and slept the whole way home and I do not think I actually got out of bed the whole of the next day haha! But it was amazing to see and totally worth it, and I know I will be back!
0 comments