Verona - a City of Love

by Carole Holt

Juliet's Balcony, Verona, Italy

Verona, even on a wet day in spring you have to queue to enter the courtyard of the famous Capuleti family. Once inside the courtyard, we like hundreds of other visitors, stand and stare in silence at Juliet's famous balcony. Young couples can be seen pledging their undying love for each other and writing their names on the outside walls of the house (the names are never washed off, love is too important). Older couples can be seen smiling at each other and holding hands, and single people perhaps remembering happier times in the past, dab a few tears from their eyes.

The story that has been written and rewritten takes place in the early fourteenth century. You can take a tour and see Romeo Montecchi's house, which is a 14th century Gothic style building; Juliet's house which was build in the 13th century and has been reconstructed inside into a typical 14th century house (there is a guide on every floor by they do not speak English, an English guide book can be bought at the information desk inside the house). Juliet's tomb, this is in the former Convent of the Capuchins (if you do not have a guide it is not easy to find). The tomb is a marble sarcophagus made in the 13th-14th century. The gardens and surrounding are very tasteful and in keeping with the sombre mood.

Verona receives thousands of letters, poems, confessions and testimonials addressed to 'Romeo and Juliet, Verona, from all over the world. To cement the city with the theme of 'Love', Verona has been twinned with Terni, which is the birthplace of Saint Valentine, the patron saint of lovers.