Renaissance Verona
From 1405 Verona, as many other cities of north east of Italy
fell under the rule of the Republic of Venice that was expanding
its territory also in the main land, after having controlled the
Mediterranean sea for few centuries. Verona lost its independence
but gained almost four hundred years of peace and stability.
In this long period Renaissance style developed and beautiful
public buildings of the Venetian administration were built such as
the City Council Loggia, the first Renaissance building in Veneto
region. Many churches of Verona were restored and renovated in the
new style and famous artists such as Pisanello and Mantegna left
some of their most important masterpieces in Verona. Many noble
families showed their wealth by rising beautiful palaces and
decorating their facades with magnificent frescoes. Verona at that
time was called urbs picta, painted town. The strategic
importance of Verona remained even under Venice domination and to
keep up with the development of artillery, new monumental
fortifications with gates, towers and ramparts were raised around
the town. The project was entrusted to Michele Sanmicheli, one of
Italian most important Renaissance architects, who also designed
gorgeous palaces and churches in town such as Palazzo Pompei,
Palazzo Bevilacqua, the church of St George, Santa Maria in Organo
and many others. Verona too suffered the progressive decadence of
Venice, crushed by the rising of European powerful nations, of the
Ottoman Empire and the new American commercial routes. Few new
buildings were designed in the Baroque style but soon Verona found
itself again in the turmoil of History with the arrival of
Napoleon and the Habsburg Empire in nineteenth century.
Half Day Guided Tour of Venetian Verona
With a two hours guided tour, together with the tourist guides of Verona is possible to visit all the main monuments of Venetian Verona. If the group is coming with its own coach, before the walking tour there will be a panoramic tour along the sixteenth century walls of Verona to admire Michele Sanmicheli's gates: Porta Nuova, Porta Palio, Porta San Zeno and Falconetto's Porta San Giorgio. Along the river Adige it will be also possible to see San Giorgio church with its beatutiful dome, Santa Maria in Organo with Sanmicheli's facade. The walking tour will then unfold in Verona city center to see Renaissance and Baroque palaces with their frescoed facades covering 400 years of Venetian history in Verona: Loggia del Consiglio, Palazzo del Capitano, Case Mazzanti, Palazzo Maffei, Palazzo Pompei, Palazzo Gobetti, Palazzo Guastaverza, Gran Guardia.
Full Day Guided Tour of Venetian Verona
In order to deepen the standard Venetian period Verona tour, here are some additional itineraries to discover all the art and architecture treasures left in Verona by the long period in which Verona was ruled by Venice.
The evolution of Veronese painting with a visit to San Zeno with Mantegna's trittico, San Bernardino church with Benaglio's altarpiece, Micheli Sanmicheli's Pellegrini's chabel and Castelvecchio Museum.
Paolo Veronese
A guided tour to discover the works of Verona most famous painter: San Giorgio and San Paolo with Veronese's altarpieces and Castelvecchio museum.
Verona Churches
A guided tour to discover Verona most beautiful Venetian period churches and the treasures inside them: the Duomo (Cathedral), San Giorgio, Santa Maria in Organo, San Zeno.
Renaissance Palazzos
A guided tour focused on the evolution of Veronese architecture from the fifteen century until the eighteen century: the pre-Renaissance Palazzo Gobetti, Palazzo Canossa, Palazzo Bevilacqua, Palazzo Carlotti, Palazzo Guastaverza, Palazzo Pompei, Palazzo del Capitano and many others.
For additional information or to book one of our exclusive guided tours you can contact Verona Tourist Guides.