Description of the attraction
Piazza Signori, also known as Piazza Dante, is a luxurious square located in the very center of Verona near Piazza del Erbe. Along the perimeter, it is surrounded by historical buildings that remind of the important role of this place in the political and social life of the city. Here you can see Palazzo del Comune, Palazzo del Capitanio, Lodge del Consiglio, etc. The facades of the buildings are connected by elegant arches, most of which date back to the 14th century. Despite the variety of architectural styles presented in the square, in general, Piazza Signori has an organic look.
Not far from the Lodge del Consiglio, just behind the arch leading from Via de Foggio, is the so-called House of Piety. At the beginning of the 15th century, this building was the property of a notary public. The noble citizen of Galasso Pio da Carpi was going to buy it, but by coincidence in 1409 the building passed into the possession of the House of Mercy. Most likely, it was during this period that it was rebuilt in a simple Renaissance style. Today, on the facade of the House, you can see a curious bas-relief depicting a seated woman with a flag in her hands, and above it the inscription “Fide et Charitate in aeternum non deficiam”. The woman is the symbol of Verona, which is safe under the auspices of the Venetian Republic.
You should also pay attention to the interesting arches of Piazza Signori. While the Lodge del Consiglio was still under construction, the City Council decided to place a couple of statues on the archway leading from Via delle Foggia. Initially, it was assumed that it would be a statue of Saint Zinon, the patron saint of Verona, but it turned out that instead of him in 1559 a statue of Girolamo Fracastoro was installed on the arch - the great doctor, poet and astronomer, who is holding a model of the globe. This statue immediately gave rise to a lot of folk tales - they said that Fracastoro would throw a ball on the head of the very first noble Veronese who would pass under the arch. In 1756, a statue of Scipione Maffei was installed on the arch leading from Via Barbaro, and in 1925 both statues were replaced by others - a statue of the historian and theologian Enrico Noris and a statue of the archaeologist Onofrio Panvinio.
The arch from Via Dante was built in 1575 to connect Palazzo del Comune and Palazzo del Capitanio. Finally, an arch from Via Santa Maria Antica connects Palazzo del Capitanio with Palazzo Podesta.
The attraction of Piazza Signori is the monument to the great Italian poet - Dante. In 1865, Italy intended to celebrate the 600th anniversary of his birth. On the initiative of the Society of Fine Arts, it was decided to install a statue of Dante in Piazza Signori. The competition for the best project was announced back in 1863 - the only condition was that the statue of Carrara marble, 3 meters high, stood with its back to Via delle Fogge, and, accordingly, facing the Palazzo Scala, symbolizing free Italy. The winner of the competition was the young sculptor Ugo Zannoni, who solemnly presented his creation to the people of Verona on May 14, 1865.
Perhaps it is worth mentioning that today Piazza Signori is one of the most popular holiday destinations for urban youth - in the evenings it is filled with hundreds of students who play guitars, sing, organize capoeira competitions and dance in the style of flamenco.
