Verona

Verona ( və-ROH-nə, Italian: [veˈroːna] ; Venetian: Verona or Veròna) is the largest city in the region of Veneto in Italy, with a population of 255,139 as of 2026. It is one of the seven provincial capitals of the region, and is also the 2nd-largest city in northeast Italy. The metropolitan area of Verona covers an area of 1,426 km2 (550.58 sq mi) and has a population of 714,310 inhabitants. It is one of the main tourist destinations in Northern Italy because of its artistic heritage and several annual fairs and shows as well as the opera season in the Arena, an ancient Roman amphitheater. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, the city was ruled by the della Scala family. Under the rule of the family, in particular of Cangrande I della Scala, the city experienced great prosperity, becoming rich and powerful and was surrounded by new walls. The della Scala era is preserved in numerous monuments around Verona. Three of William Shakespeare's plays are set in Verona: Romeo and Juliet (which also features Romeo's visit to Mantua), The Taming of the Shrew and The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Among Verona's Shakespeare-related landmarks is the Casa di Giulietta, a medieval house associated with the Cappello family. Its identification with Shakespeare's Capulets developed later, and the building was converted into a museum in the 1930s, when its courtyard balcony was added. It is unknown if Shakespeare ever visited Verona or Italy, but his plays have lured many visitors to Verona and surrounding cities. Verona was also the birthplace of Isotta Nogarola, who is said to be the first major female humanist and one of the most important humanists of the Renaissance. In November 2000, the city was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its urban structure and architecture.