Description of the attraction
Piazza Bra is one of the largest squares in Verona, the commercial and social center of the city. Some consider it to be the largest in all of Italy. You can get to the square by going through the Portoni della Bra gate leading from Corso Porto Nuova street. The gate consists of two crenellated arches, once part of the city wall, built in the late 14th century during the reign of Duke Gian Visconti. Next to Portoni della Bra is the Torre Pentagon, a pentagonal tower that was also part of the city wall.
In the center of Piazza Bra, there is a small square with cedars and pines, in which there is a bronze statue of the first king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II, a monument to Italian partisans who died during the Second World War, and a fountain of the Alps with memorial plaques donated to Verona by the twin cities.
Among the interesting buildings, whose facades overlook Piazza Bra, are Palazzo Barbieri, built in 1838 in the neoclassical style, and Palazzo della Gran Guardia, built from 1610 to 1820 on the south side of the square. Both palaces were completed under the direction of the architect Giuseppe Barbieri, whose name is today one of the Palazzo. Today it houses the city municipality. And the Palazzo Gran Guardia hosts conferences, meetings and exhibitions.
Finally, at the very edge of the square, you can see the famous Verona Amphitheater, built in the era of Ancient Rome, and the small church of San Nicolo al Arena. The amphitheater is today used as a venue for music concerts and opera performances - it can accommodate up to 22 thousand people inside! There are numerous cafes and restaurants nearby, always full of visitors.
