Piazza Bra | Verona | Best 7 experiences!
Updated: Mar 25, 2022
Located within the gates of Verona is one of the largest piazza in Europe. Piazza Bra welcomes visitors both day and night to indulge in a little Veronese culture. Marvel at the historic Roman Arena, grab a cup of espresso and happily people-watch while not missing on the beautiful attractions that are dotted around the expansive square.
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2 | Why not go a little further with our Best Seller? Discover Verona Food and Wine while seeing all the Highlights and Landmarks of the city, in half-a-day or so led by an expert.
Piazza Bra Verona
Simply known as Bra, Piazza Bra is the main square and heart of life in Verona. It is one of the largest squares in Italy as well as in Europe. Located inside the City’s gates, Piazza Bra is a beautiful and an expansive square. It’s like a huge arrival hall from whence you get to various places and attractions. The pink marble liston is perfect for a stroll. Bra is also a destination for to observe and people-watch over a cup of coffee. Enjoy a meal at one of the al frescoes restaurants that are lined alongside prominent historic buildings from medieval times to present day.
The square is a frequent stop on guided walking or bike tours of the city.
Timeless Travel Steps Best Tips: Piazza Bra
With the Verona City Card, you will gain Priority Entry to the Verona Arena and the Lamberti Tower along with entry to museums as well as free local transportation – these and so many other benefits. Explore more and pre-purchase before travelling to Verona > Verona City Card.
Piazza Bra – An overview of the development of a “square”
The word “Bra” has its origins in German from the word “breit” which means “broad“. It began to be defined as a “square” in the mid sixteenth century.
The Palace of Honours was built by architect Michele Sammicheli on the west of the Square with the purpose of limiting the perimeter of the square from future expansion. On the southern side, the Grand Guardia Palace was constructed and you will also find Portoni del Bra archway which encloses the south. Then in the nineteenth century, Palazzo Barbieri, the neoclassical City Hall was constructed alongside the Arena on the eastern side of the Square, with the Arena on the north of the square.
The Square was paved off completely with pink marble from the Valpolicella region in 1782.
Piazza Bra – Historical use of the Square
A notable use of the square was in the mid twelfth century as a “livestock” market. Along with it, the Bra was also used for wood, hay and straw.
Piazza Bra is no stranger to the ancient custom of holding a fair. The one that had survived through the centuries to today is the fair of St Lucy. The fair of St Lucy takes place each year between 11th and 13th December.
7 popular attractions at Piazza Bra not to miss
This beautiful and expansive square in the heart of Verona has several historic buildings, gardens, and fountains. Here are the popular attractions which you may want experience:
1 | Verona Arena
Verona Arena is the largest open air amphitheatre in the world. It was built in the first century, survived two earthquakes and all the challenges throughout its 2000 years. It is a true marvel that it is standing in all its glory. Today, the Arena hosts musical events and their popular annual summer Opera evenings. A visit to the Arena is highly recommended. You could also peruse and book to join Verona Arena Skip-the-Line Guided Tour. A tour is an opportunity to learn of its long history and marvel at this ancient architecture from within its arched walls.
Read: The Complete Guide to the Verona Arena includes tips on how to get ticket for the Opera.
2 | Gran Guardia Palace
Palazzo Gran Guardia is one of Verona’s most impressive of historic buildings. It was designed by Domenico Curtoni and construction began in early seventeenth century. However it took over a hundred years to complete, in the mid nineteenth century by Giuseppe Barbieri. The Gran Guardia is an impressive building with stone stairway, grand porch, pillars and arched windows.
3 | Portoni della Bra
A beautiful piece of architecture and the gateway to the old city, I Portoni della Bra are the two arches on the south side of the square. It has a clock in the centre and on both sides of the arches. It was built by Gian Galeazzo Visconti in late fourteenth century.
4 | Palazzo Barbieri
Palazzo Barbieri sits on the eastern side of Bra. It is of a Neoclassical architecture built in the nineteenth century. This building was designed by Giuseppe Barbieri. Formerly known as Palazzo della Gran Guardia Nuova but was later named Palazzo Barbieri in honour of Giuseppe Barbieri. It has been home to the offices of the municipal administrations since 1869. In the 1940s, the interior of the City Hall was destroyed by fire. This led to internal modifications, rebuilt by adding the rear and the semi-circular wing.
5 | Fontana delle Alpi – At the centre of Piazza Bra
This fountain is in a small park in the centre of Piazza Bra. It offers a pleasant shady area to walk or to take a break from walking. The Veronese refer to Fontana delle Alpi as a “Lemon Squeezer” (struca limoni) because of its shape.
6 | The Statue of King Vittorio Emanuele II – at the centre of the park in Piazza Bra
An equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first ruler of unified Italy dominates the centre of the park in Piazza Bra.
7 | Museo Lapidario Maffeiano – an archaeological museum
The Museo Lapidario Maffeiano in Piazza Bra was constructed in the middle pf eighteenth century and inextricably tied to Marquess Scipione Maffei (1675-1755). Maffei spent thirty-years collecting hundreds and hundreds of inscriptions. He made his collection displayed to the public, believing that “what is useful to the public must become public domain”. The collection includes 650 findings.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
closed on Mondays
Practical information on Piazza Bra
1 | Location of Piazza Bra and all attractions listed in this post
Piazza Bra is located at: Piazza Bra, 37121, Verona Italy.Â
Here is a map on the locations of the places listed in this post so you can easily locate them when you visit.
2 | Basics about the Bra that you need to know
i | Piazza Bra is a pedestrian square, so it is a safe place to stroll with young children;
ii | The Bra is a public square and is open twenty-four hours. Cafes and restaurants are subject to their own opening hours.
iii | The Square is lined with bustling cafes and restaurants, offering great choices of food and snacks
iv | Exploring Verona on foot with or without a tour guide requires a bit of walking. Best to use comfortable shoes, wear casual clothing and travel light;
v | Visitors can find out more about the buildings, its history and festivals or fairs from a guided walking tour;
vi | If you are planning on visiting the Verona Arena on its summer Opera festival, book your tickets early. Peruse the options on the Arena di Verona Opera Ticket package.
3 | Best time to visit Piazza Bra
The busiest time for tourism in Verona is between June to August. Undoubtedly this is the busiest time at Piazza Bra as well. A visit in the off-season is highly recommended if you are wanting a quieter vacation but still see all the attractions without wrestling the crowds! Learn more on best time to visit Italy, a bi-monthly guide on the weather and festivals in Italy is included to support your travels to Verona.
In any case, whether it is the peak season or the shoulder season, find yourself a seat in one of the al frescoe restaurants lined up at the Bra on early evenings. Over coffee, watch and take part in the daily passeggiata, a tradition when Italian families and groups of friends take a stroll before dinner.Â
Read: People and Culture of Italy
4 | Getting to Piazza Bra
Piazza Bra is located in the center of Verona. It’s accessible on foot, by bus, taxi, or as part of a bike or Segway tour of the city center. Â
Once at the square, all attractions listed here are located within walking distance.
Recommended read: Getting around Verona – public transport and best ways to explore
5 | Places to stay near Piazza Bra
The following hotels are within very close proximity of Piazza Bra and other attractions in Verona. Click on the images, peruse and book your stay.
Read: Stay at an Awesome Place in Verona
Final thoughts on Piazza Bra
A visit to Piazza Bra in Verona and you will note that this expansive square has it all! From gardens, fountains, restaurants, street entertainers to grandeur palaces and Roman amphitheatre. A day spent here will be a day well-spent.
Hope that this post has been valuable to you in planning your visits to Piazza Bra in Verona. If so, I would love to know your experiences. Subscribe to Stay Connected with TTS for the latest on travel inspirations. As well, consider using the links embedded in this post and related posts to book your stay and/or activities. TTS earns a commission on qualifying bookings and purchases at no cost to you at all. As always, we appreciate your support.
Have a splendid time exploring Piazza Bra and Verona 🙂
Georgina xoxo
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Piazza Bra | Verona | Best 7 experiences! first published at timelesstravelsteps.com | Last updated Mar 25, 2022
Thank you!! Thank you so much for recognising that I write the details of a place rather than just mention them in a wider context. Absolutely love sharing all the info I learn/know of a place to make travel easier for my readers. I am glad that you find the details and information useful.
Reading your blogs is more than information it is an education! Not only do I learn so much about the location but the highest of standards to reach for in years to come together with some really really useful links.
As for the blog what I really like is the way you take some specific locations within a city and write upon one place. So many cover a city or town or place and you are left wondering, yes but is place A worth going to? You make that so simple. I visited Verona around 30 years ago on my first ever visit overseas while staying at Lake Garda and loved it, even more than Venice but then I am a Romeo and Juliet fan!
This blog gives us so much information if and when we are able to look at going there together. Wonderful. Thank you
Haha thank you so much my friend 🙂 I am humbled by your compliment. Nice to “see” you again. I have a few more posts on Verona which I hope will firmly cement the destination on your list. Have a great week ahead, Pedrol
hey 🙂 how is everything?? it’s always a pleasure to come to your blog and discover your latest tips 🙂 everytime there’s something interesting to do in a new destination!! after reading this article, Verona is now on my list eheh have a great week, PedroL