Verona's Walls Date Back to the Romans
Follow Verona’s Well-Preserved City Walls to Discover its History
Sep 3, 2009
Verona’s central location on the crossroads of trade routes between the Mediterranean and northern Europe made it an important city even before Roman times, but its location also put Verona in the path of invaders.
Verona’s Medieval Walls
Its setting inside the S curve in the river gave it only moderate protection, so the Veronese reinforced this natural barrier with an expanding series of sturdy walls. Dating from as far back as the 12th and 13th centuries, these remain unusually complete for a city of Verona’s size. Later walls with five 16th-century gates, part of the outer defense system, survive intact around Verona’s south and west sides.
Following Verona’s Walls
Even a few signs of the original Roman walls are left. To follow Verona’s walls – and its history -- begin in the old city centre, on Via Leone (follow Via Capello, from Piazza Erbe), where a segment of pavement is cut away to show the foundations of a massive Roman gate. Match it with the diagram of the whole structure on the facing wall. At the other side of the wall is one complete arch of the original gate, Porta Leoni, which had been incorporated into the side of a building.
At the other end of Piazza Erbe, Via Corso Porta Borsari leads to another original first-century Roman gate, Porta dei Borsari, still very much intact. A left on Via Oberdan leads to Piazza Bra.
“There is No World Outside Verona’s Walls”
The next major walls were built after the flood of 1239, including the impressive tall section that extends from Ponte Aleardi along the south side of Piazza Bra. It originally continued all the way to Castelvecchio. The remaining section is in almost perfect condition, as is the grand Portone della Bra, the large gate at the southern end of the piazza. Look for the Shakespeare quote, “There is no world without Verona’s walls but purgatory, torture, hell itself” carved into its right side.
Verona’s Venetian Walls
The Venetians took over the city in the early 1400s, and in the 1500s set the architect Sanmicheli to drafting a far-reaching plan that allowed Verona to grow within a well fortified perimeter. The outer walls were built at this time, along with the five magnificent gates designed by Sanmicheli, which today make dramatic entrances to the city.
These are Porta Nuova in white marble; Porta Palio, in brown tufa and Porta San Zeno, in white tufa and brick. Across the river are Porta San Giorgio (also called Porta Trento), of tufa faced in white stone, and Porta Vescovo, which was enlarged in 1860. This was the site of Verona’s liberation from Austria in 1866.
The longest segment runs from the river at Ponte San Francesco around to the river at Ponte Catena. A park with walking paths surrounds the walls today. Following Verona’s walls is like walking from Roman times through the Renaissance.
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