Romeo and Juliet in Verona – Walk to the sites of the tragedy

It was the nightingale and not the lark….
…oh Romeo, oh Juliet…this classic leaves no one untouched. And anyone travelling to Verona should know the story of Romeo and Juliet.

Some time ago we heard Shakespeare’s play as a live radio play in the “Alte Kantine” (Berlin, Prenzlauer Berg) by the Lauscherlounge. And when we came to Verona it was clear…we were walking through the city in the footsteps of Romeo and Juliet.

Juliet’s balcony

The house of Juliet’s parents is said to stand near Piazza della Erben. Originally, the house belonged to the Del Cappello family and was used as a hostel for tourists. The balcony was added later (for the tourists).

All you have to do is follow the flag-waving tour guides and you’ll get to Juliet’s balcony. The more advanced the day, the more crowded it gets, so we left a little earlier than usual to get there.

Those who want to see the balcony can do so free of charge, only the entrance to the museum is charged.

The way to the balcony leads through a passageway. Here the walls are covered with hearts, love sayings, names of the beloved. All messages from lovers to their beloved. At regular intervals the walls are painted again, otherwise they would be black by now.

Then you stand in the paved courtyard and you can see it….the balcony!!!

A bit sobering, because all you really see is a balcony and a statue of Juliet standing in the courtyard. The visit is a bit of fun when museum visitors come out onto the balcony. They look, wave and everyone stares at them from below.
Groups stand laughing in front of the statue. It seems to be a tradition to touch Juliet’s bosom, maybe it brings good luck? In any case, it’s the photo motif and it’s not easy to take a picture without “bosom grabbers” and you can see that the bosom is polished!

Romeo’s Escape Route

After Romeo has killed Tybalt, he is banished from Verona. He first flees to Mantua. On his escape he passes the Portoni della Brà.

The two archways border Piazza Brà to the south. The street leads through the gate directly to Porta Nuova, the city gate in Verona’s fortification walls.

Juliets Tomb

What remains at the end of the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet is death.

Of course, you can also visit Juliet’s tomb in Verona. It is located in an old Capuchin monastery of the 13th century. In the crypt of the monastery, a stone staircase leads to the ceilingless sarcophagus in which, according to tradition, Juliet was buried.

Today it is a museum and can only be visited for a fee. Whether the entrance fee is really worth it remains to be seen. We went to the mini-museum to see the tomb because it was the only way to properly complete our journey through the story of Romeo and Juliet.

Opening hours:

Juliets Balcony
Monday 13:30 – 19: 30
Tuesday – Sunday 8:30 am – 7:30 pm

Juliets Tomb
Monday 13:30 – 19:30
Tuesday – Sunday 8:30 am – 7:30 pm

Admission fees:

Juliets Balcony – Museum
Adults: 6,- €
Discounts are available.
The balcony can be visited free of charge.

Juliets tomb
Adults: €4.50
Discounts are available.