Basilica di Santa Anastasia

A gothic church constructed between 1290 and 1481.  The only thing never to be completed was the facade.

St. Anastasia is the largest church in Verona.  The church soars to a great height and the interior is impressive.

Absolutely love the ceiling!!

Above the entrance to the Pellegrini Chapel is the famous fresco
by Pisanello of St. George and the Princess

Holy Water Stoups in the entry of the church.  Carved by Gabriele Caliari (the hunchback) and Paolo Orefice (Pasquino)

 The Giusti Chapel: contains the wooden choir work of Maestro Lorenzo di S. Cecilia

Il Duomo - Verona

The Duomo is the central structure of a complex of architectural buildings.  This church was rebuilt on the foundations of an ancient Christian building and consecrated 1187.

A separate Cathedral, St. Giovanni in Fonte is attached to the Duomo.  This church contains an octagonal Baptismal Font, a masterpiece of romanesque sculpture situated the center of the church.  The font was carved out of one marble block.

Taking Liberties with Shakespeare

Since we are in Verona and since Shakespeare had three plays set in this lovely city, it is only appropriate to use his words to express a most heart felt sentiment.

"But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and GELATO is the sun"

Piazza Bra - Verona

 Piazza Bra - the largest piazza in Verona.

The Verona Arena is on one side, beautiful on it's own - but sitting across from it a colorful row of buildings and cafes that just draw you in.

This area is especially lovely at sunset and evening.   Great for strolls, people watching, etc. I want to come back when there is an Opera performance in the Arena.

The Church of St. Fermo - Verona

This is an 11th Century church.  Inside there is an upper church (Gothic), known for it's ribbed vaulted wooden ceiling and the 14th and 15th century frescoes;  and a lower church (Romanesque) which is still used during the winter for religious services.

The air bombardments of the War (1944-45) destroyed the cloisters but the bombs didn't destroy the church.  The restorations of the frescos, of the chapel and of the wooden ceiling of the church were due to donations.

The Basilica of San Zeno - Verona

Through several of the next blog posts, I will share my strolls through some of the beautiful churches of Verona.   Note:  much of the facts and descriptions presented are taken from the literature provided by Le Chiese Storiche di Verona (to keep me honest).

The Basilica of San Zeno is one of the most beautiful and better preserved examples of Romanesque architecture in the whole of Northern Italy.

The large rose window on there front is called the "Wheel of Fortune".  The front columns have been constructed with lions at the base, representing righteousness and faith.

One of the frescos that is still very much intact and complete ... St. George and the Princess

Two huge bronze doors are masterpieces - obtained by assembling doors of different periods - are the work of different unknown Artists.  One panel depicts scenes from the Old Testament and the other, scenes from the New Testament

 

The Crypt ... what is seen today is described as being a "real forest of columns" is a result of the rearrangement of the tenth-century crypt, which was done between the end of the 12th and the beginning of the 13th century.

Verona - Piazza delle Erbe

Architecture should speak of its time and space, but yearn for timelessness. - Frank Gehry

Verona ... Food Festival....Mangiamo!!!

This is one of the things I love about Italy, when you unexpectedly find a festival (large or small) in a town you are traveling through.   The vast majority of the time; it is in celebration of food!!!

Here in Verona - this weekend - is Le Piazze dei Sapori.





Piazze dei Sapori has for 13 years brought to Verona local food products from all over the country.  From 10am to midnight over 100 stalls of carefully selected producers come to Verona to represent all the regions of Italy.  Doc, Docg, Doc, Bio and lgp certified products can be found along with more unusual and lesser known, to awaken the taste buds and discover traditions from further afield.  (taken from their flier)

Seeing the old with the new!

And ... after a sudden downpour when you are about to go out for dinner ... what's a girl to do????  Make a picnic out of some of the samples you bought at the festival of course!!!  Not a thing wrong with that!