Information
Landmark: Piazza delle ErbeCity: Verona
Country: Italy
Continent: Europe
Piazza delle Erbe, Verona, Italy, Europe
Overview
In Verona’s oldest square, Piazza delle Erbe, market stalls spill over the cobblestones, where centuries of history mingle with the hum of daily life.The piazza-its name meaning “Square of Herbs”-has bustled with market stalls since Roman times, and today it’s still alive with chatter, the smell of espresso drifting past ornate facades, shops, cafés, and weathered statues.Number one.Piazza delle Erbe, rising where the ancient Roman forum once stood, has bustled with trade and political debate for more than 2,000 years, its stones worn smooth by countless passing feet.Roman temples, steamy public baths, and grand government halls once framed the square.In the Middle Ages, Piazza delle Erbe thrived as Verona’s bustling market, and by the Renaissance, it had gained ornate facades and sturdy new arches.Many nearby buildings and statues trace their origins to these eras, keeping Verona’s history alive.On one side of the piazza, the Mazzanti Houses stand bright with 16th‑century frescoes, their colors still catching the afternoon light.Though the paint has faded with time, the images still show myths alongside glimpses of daily life-a fisherman casting his net, a woman at the well.Rising above them all, the Torre dei Lamberti soars 84 meters into Verona’s sky, one of the city’s tallest landmarks.Dating back to 1172 and later expanded, it gives you sweeping views of Verona’s rooftops from the very top.On the piazza’s west side, Palazzo Maffei-a 17th-century Baroque gem-shows off a grand facade lined with statues of Greco-Roman gods like Hercules and Jupiter.Its sleek lines stand out against the weathered stone of the medieval buildings nearby.Casa dei Mercanti, built in the 14th century, still carries the spirit of the square’s bustling trade.This building once served as the guild hall for Verona’s merchants.At the piazza’s heart, the Madonna Verona fountain splashes cool water beneath the stone figure that’s become one of the city’s most treasured symbols.Built in 1368, it holds a Roman statue from 380 AD-a weathered figure of a woman meant to embody the city.The statue, clutching a banner above the shimmering basin, has become a cherished symbol of Verona.At one corner of the square, the Lion of St. Mark rises on its tall column, a reminder of the city’s Venetian days between the 15th and 18th centuries.The column topped with a winged lion stood as a proud emblem of the Venetian Republic’s power and far‑reaching influence.On the piazza below, the daily market buzzes-except Sundays-with stalls spilling over with ripe tomatoes, fragrant spices, bright souvenirs, and hand‑carved goods.Over the years, the market has shifted from selling mostly herbs and spices to offering a lively mix of traditional wares and tourist-friendly products.Cafés and restaurants spill onto the square with small tables under the sun, inviting visitors to linger over coffee or wine as they soak in the centuries-old charm.All year long, Piazza delle Erbe hosts festivals, holiday celebrations, and cultural events that fill the air with music and voices.At Christmas, it turns into a lively market draped in twinkling lights, the air rich with the scent of roasted chestnuts.Just steps away, Piazza dei Signori offers elegant Renaissance palaces and Dante’s solemn statue.A short stroll leads to Casa di Giulietta, where visitors gather beneath the famed balcony in its quiet courtyard.From the square, you can climb-or ride the elevator-up Torre dei Lamberti for sweeping city views.Piazza delle Erbe remains Verona’s beating heart, where centuries-old stones meet the bustle of modern life, and every corner hums with history.
