Piazza delle Erbe and its magnificent monuments
Piazza delle Erbe is an excellent starting point for visiting the beautiful city of Verona.
It is a rectangular square, located in the heart of the city center with magnificent palaces and towers of the medieval era around it.
At the center, then, we find a fountain of the 14th century with a Roman statue.
For a period that lasted centuries, Piazza delle Erba was the fulcrum of the commercial and administrative life of Verona.
In the Roman era, in fact, it hosted the Forum, the Campidoglio, temples and baths and its name derives from the fact that - always in those years - it constituted the aromatic herbs market.
During the Venetian rule and, later, in the Austrian one, it became the seat of the court, remaining - however - a meeting place as well as a favorite market for the people of Verona.
On the eastern side of the square, coming from Via Mazzini, we see - first of all - the Palazzo della Regione, which dates back to 200 and which hosted the College of the Notary, the Court of Assizes and the prisons. Devastated by many fires, it owes its current appearance to the architect Barbieri, who in the nineteenth century began the renovation of the façade with a neoclassical style quite different from the original Roman-style structure.
The palace is dominated by the Torre dei Lamberti, built - in 1172 - by the homonymous family.
Also, from the courtyard of the Old Market, you can climb to the top - using a lift - to enjoy a great view of the city.
Next to the building we find the Casa dei Giudici which, at the dawn, was the residence of the Podestà, called Domus Nova.
Interesting is the story that revolves around the Arco della Costa, whose function is to connect the Palazzo della Regione to the Municipal one. From the arch, in fact, hangs a large rib and the legend tells that it was belonging to the devil but, in reality, was the symbol of one of the spice shops of the Middle Ages and belonged to a whale.
Adjacent to the Domus Nova is the Casa Mazzanti, full of frescoes of the sixteenth century, representing Ignorance, Prudence, Envy, Providence and the Struggle among the Giants and it is thanks to these works of art that Verona was dubbed "urbs picta" (painted city).
North of Piazza delle Erbe there are two historical and artistic buildings that enrich the city's heritage: the Palazzo Maffei - Baroque style, on three floors - and the Torre del Gardello, also known as "Torre delle Ore" due to the presence of a bell clock among the oldest in Europe.
At a corner with via Pellicciai it is impossible not to notice the magnificent Domus Mercatorum: built in 1301 by the Scaligeri family, it was used to house the Arts and Crafts headquarters.
The Domus Mercatorum has been modified over time, until it returns to its original appearance, ie a medieval fortress-house.
At the center of Piazza delle Erbe - then - we find the Fountain of Madonna Verona, dating back to 1368, built by Prince Cansignorio della Scala. The fountain has a marble basin and the flowing water comes from the Lori river of Avesa.
Well set among the ancient buildings there are numerous bars and cafes that make Piazza delle Erbe a perfect place to refresh yourself during a walk, in the company of a good espresso in the morning or a glass of wine at the end of the day.
If you want to experience the emotions of this magical place, surrounded by a suggestive atmosphere where time has stopped, you can check the availability of our apartments, located just few minutes from one of the most important squares of Verona.