Romeo and Juliet in Fair Verona
Planning a visit to Verona? If so, I am sure a visit to Juliet House is on your itinerary. You are covered! To give you a heads up on what to expect on your visit, this article on “Romeo and Juliet in Fair Verona” sets the scene with a brief background to Shakespeare’s inspiration for the story of Romeo and Juliet by taking a quick read-through of Shakespeare’s 14-line poem and the play of Romeo and Juliet.
The soul-touching story prompted the creation of Juliet House as a tourist attraction and we take a sneak-peek inside the house, along with some practical information to support your planning.
The legend, the tradition or belief — call it what you will, continues to be associated with this Heritage site in Verona. Juliet House is one of the most visited destination in the City for Lovers.
The House of Juliet is located at:
Via Cappello, 23, 37121 Verona VR, Italy
Recommended read: Mazzanti House | Painted City
Timeless Travel Steps BEST TIPS:
1 | Want to learn all about the city that drips in old time romance? Discover its history at every turn – hear it first-hand from a local and you are sure to want to delve deeper.
2 | Why not go a little further? 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.
Inspiration for Romeo and Juliet
“Fair Verona” is what he called this enchanting City. William Shakespeare chose Verona to be the romantic backdrop for the second of his ten tragedies, Romeo and Juliet. It was the first romantic tragedy ever written and one that made Verona famous as one of the romantic cities of the world. Shakespeare’s settings for Romeo and Juliet was so vivid and so descriptive that the “balcony” and Juliet’s house where the star-crossed young couple declared their love have become a pilgrimage destination for many from all around the world.
Shakespeare’s work on Romeo and Juliet was first published in 1597 but it was by no means an original story. The tragic story of the star-struck lovers was inspired by Arthur Brooke’s poem, The Tragicall Historye of Romeus and Juliet, which was published in 1562. Brooke’s version was inspired by older works by Italian writers, including Luigi de Porto and Matteo Bandello, who told the story of Romeo and Giuletta and the deadly feud between the families Montecchi and Capelletti. These names are also mentioned in a verse of Dante’s Purgatory, published in the mid-1300’s. However, Dante’s poem does not include anything about star-crossed lovers.
The Story behind Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Although Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was inspired by earlier writings and Shakespeare may never had visited Verona, he began an era of modern drama. He inter-weaved historical fiction and imagination, in his poetic style resulting in a universal love story. He wrote about the lives of ordinary people who became just as important as the lives of the great. Romeo and Juliet was not a story of kings, queens, or emperors but it was about two young teenagers caught up in events beyond their control.
Thus, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was so rooted in real life, that suspense and thrill was not required to gain spectators attention. So vivid and descriptive that it is difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction.
A Pair of Star-crossed Lovers
Shakespeare preface his works with sonnets, a 14-line poem which summarise and foreshadow the tragic fate of the lovers. A pair of star-crossed lovers is what he called Romeo and Juliet.
Two households, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes;
A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life;
Whose misadventur’d piteous overthrows
Doth, with their death, bury their parents’ strife.
The fearful passage of their death-mark’d love,
And the continuance of their parents’ rage;Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare: Act 1 Prologue
Which, but their children’s end, naught could remove,
Is now the two hours’ traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
Shakespeare lays out the plot and moral of the play and writes of an ongoing quarrel between two families who are of equal social status (“alike in dignity”), the Montagues and Capulets. Romeo is Montague and Juliet, a Capulet are the “pair of star-cross’d lovers” whose deaths will finally put an end to the feud.
The Play of Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time when Romeo attends a masquerade ball at her father’s house. The attraction between the two youngsters is immediate but they know it’s doomed because of the feud between their two families.
After the ball, Romeo returns to the Capulet’s garden and overhears Juliet on her balcony declaring her love for him. Juliet speaks of Shakespeare’ famous lines in the play: “O Romeo, Romeo! {W}herefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; {o}r, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, {a}nd I’ll no longer be a Capulet.” Romeo makes himself known and they vow to marry the very next day, a marriage doomed to tragedy.
This painting of the lovers on the balcony moments before Romeo’s swift exit perfectly captures the urgency of the moment (with one leg over the ledge) | Romeo and Juliet in Fair Verona
The story moves quickly, a fast-paced rhythm, in a span of five days, where the two teenagers meet, fall in love, struggle, escape, poisoned and death. A timeless masterpiece representing human emotions.
Recommended read: Palazzo Maffei
The house in Verona | House of Juliet
Even though Juliet Capulet is a fictional character created by Shakespeare, there is a 13th century house in Verona which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Millions of tourists from around the globe visit just to see the balcony at Casa di Giulietta (House of Juliet) where she was wooed by her Romeo. People also visit Juliet’ House for a tradition that has developed which is particularly associated with newly-weds and young lovers. — that their love will last for eternity, forever more.
Here are the stories behind the 13th century house in Verona, House of Juliet which has become a forever more destination…
Timeless Travel Steps Best Tips: Footprints of Romeo and Juliet around Verona Guided Tour
1 | Story of the house in Verona
This particular 13th century building was once the residence of the Cappello family, a name similar to the Italian version’s Capelletti and Shakespeare’s Capulet.
The Cappello family were spice merchants whose main residence was right here. The family’s coat of arms (“a bonnet-like hat carved in the courtyard vault’s keystone as proof of the building’s ties to the Capello family“) is still visible. The accommodation originally consisted of two adjacent medieval towers. and a large courtyard. Now, it features two 16th century constructions and a courtyard.
2 | Creating a ‘Juliet House’ as an attraction
The building was bought at a public auction from the Cappello family in 1907 by the City of Verona. The City of Verona decided to turn the house into Juliet House, a museum, taking advantage of the famed Shakespeare’s play of Romeo and Juliet and the similarity between the names of the house’s true owner, Capello and the Capulet in Shakespeare’s play. Thus, the famous tourist attraction, Casa di Giulietta or Juliet House was born. A clever marketing strategy, one would say!
3 | Adding the ‘Juliet Balcony’
The tower-building did not have a balcony or Gothic-style windows and doors when it was purchased.
The balcony to Juliet House was discovered in the early 20th century. This small balcony dating back to the Gothic period was recovered from the ruins of medieval houses which had to be demolished to make way for the building of new dams across the river to prevent future flooding.
Antonio Avena, Director of Verona museums at the time had the balcony attached to the tower-house in the courtyard; thus Juliet balcony was born.
Timeless Travel Steps Best Tips: Romeo and Juliet in Fair Verona
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4 | Juliet Statue
Avena also added a bronze slender statue of teenage Juliet by sculptor Nereo Costantini in the courtyard.
The original statue of Juliet was removed from the courtyard to the museum in 2014. A crack appeared in the breast from all the wear and tear. There was damage to the statue’s right arm as well because tourists leaned on it to have their photos taken. An exact replica was created by a local foundry and placed in the courtyard, which is what you shall see today when you visit.
5 | Exterior restoration of Juliet House
Under the directorship of Antonio Avena, a massive restoration was carried out in the 1930’s where windows and Gothic doors were added.
The house was adjusted through many more restorations over the years so it could be identified as Juliet House, inspired by the 1936 American movie by George Cukor.
Watch a snippet of the movie by clicking on the image below. The movie was nominated for an Oscar and Best Picture.
6 | The Interior of Juliet House
The interior of Juliet House was restored much later in the 1990’s. Authentic period ceramics, paintings and furniture from the 16th century, are on display in the rooms. This allows you to really get an idea of life in a well to do house in Verona from the time of Romeo and Juliet.
The restoration of the interior of Juliet house was inspired by a 1968 movie by Franco Zeffirelli. The bed and costumes worn in the movie is showcased here.
There are lovely painted ceilings and paintings that contribute to the medieval and artistic climate in which Casa di Giulietta was created upon.
Throughout the building, the walls are adorned with a series of art. There are two 14th century frescoes on the ground floor which were detached from the Palazzo del Tribunale, Verona in 1875. On the second floor, there are 16th century frescoes.
There are also paintings on the walls that illustrate the story of the two lovers. There is this particular painting that will grab your attention – Death of Romeo and Juliet by Angelo dell’Oca Bianca (below).
These frescoes, wood-panels and fire-places are so rich and different due to their medieval origin.
Though bare, the dining room is spacious, airy and quite impressive with wood panels and warm colours (below)
If you like old architecture and historical artefacts and collections, you will find this place rather amazing.
While visiting Juliet House, you may wish to visit Juliet tomb inside the monastery of San Francesco al Corso which has been indicated as the place where the setting for the tragic finale of the Shakespeare play took place. [Address: Via del Pontiere, Verona Italy]
7 | The legend of Romeo and Juliet at Juliet House
No one really knows how the legend, tradition and all the symbolic gestures of Juliet House as a symbol of love actually started. The House was intended to be a museum but now, together with the courtyard, is a lot more than that.
7.1 | Legend of the bronze statue of Juliet in the courtyard
Legend has it that if you touch Juliet right breast, it will bring you luck in finding your own true love. You can tell that many people believe in this as the bronze-plating has worn off and looks faded in comparison to other parts of the statue.
7.2 | Love Notes
It is said that if you leave a declaration of your love with your names at Juliet House, you will be together forever. Tiny love notes, post-it stickers, graffiti scribbles cover the courtyard walls.
The graffiti scribbles and notes are from visitors asking for guidance in love. They tell stories of their pasts, their problems, lost loves and their hopes for the future. Some messages are really touching and emotional. Most of these notes are attached to the walls with chewing gum.
**The thing about love notes, graffiti and chewing gum which you may want to know:
In 2008, the City of Verona introduced fines of up to €500 for anyone caught writing graffiti on public or private property. The use of chewing gum to stick love notes is strictly prohibited also.
7.3 | Love Locks
Just as Paris, Rome or Florence, Verona is no stranger to Love Locks especially in Juliet Courtyard! Names and hearts drawn on padlocks are attached to railings with keys thrown away – a gesture to lock the love forever. However, unlike the traditional gesture of fixing the padlock on railings at a bridge and throwing away the key into the river below, in Verona, these padlocks are available at nearby shops on Via Cappello.
The shops along Via Cappello sell these somewhat light-weight pink or red padlocks. They also make available railings in their shops where visitors can attach their locks.
In addition to the tradition or legend of touching Juliet breasts for true love or seeking eternal love by writing love notes, people also write letters to Juliet, asking for her advice in love.
7.4 | Juliet Club | Juliet Secretaries
The Juliet Club has been reading, replying and archiving thousands of letters that they receive addressed to Juliet asking for her advice in love. The Club is managed entirely by volunteers. These volunteers are called “Juliet Secretaries” and they work out of an upstairs room in the house.
This “belief” and custom of writing letters to Juliet asking for advice inspired the making of a Hollywood movie, Letters to Juliet (2010).
Letters to Juliet tells the story of an American tourist (Amanda Seyfried) who visits a wall where the heartbroken leave notes to Juliet. She finds an unanswered letter from 1957. She writes to the author of the letter (Vanessa Redgrave) and sets out to find her long-lost lover. If you haven’t watched the movie, you could watch the official trailer on Youtube. This is a feel-good movie for a lovely evening-in over a couple of Amarone or Vapolicella.
Practical information when visiting Romeo and Juliet in Fair Verona
1 | Visiting information on Juliet House
Location of Juliet House:
Via Cappello, 23, 37121 Verona VR, Italy
Opening hours:
Tuesdays to Sundays from 8:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and on Mondays from 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Admission charge:
Standard tickets cost €6 while concessions start at €1. Entry is free with a Verona Card.
Charges are for the museum. Access to the Courtyard is Free.
2 | Best time to visit Juliet House:
Juliet House is a popular destination throughout the year. It is particularly popular around Valentine’s Day. The busiest season for tourism in Verona is from June to August. As one can imagine, Juliet House sees the highest visits during these months. Accommodation typically will cost more as well. The feel of “romance” is almost non-existent when it is crowded and you have to weave through people to get to see anything.
Pro tip: If you plan to visit during the high season, then take advantage of the early opening hours at 8:30 and go first thing. Alternatively, you may want to visit later in the day, perhaps after 5 p.m. Better still, I’d suggest an off-season visit. I visited in November. around 5 p.m. The crowd was less, no queues to the museum, and I could see and linger at ease.
3 | How to get to Juliet House
3.1 | From Porta Nuova Station, Verona:
By Bus
Line Bus 13
Cost: €1 – €3
10 minutes
5 minutes by bus to Stradone San Fermo Station. Exit and walk for 5 minutes to Juliet House.
By Taxi
4 minutes
Cost: €8 – €11
Walk details
1.4 miles
27 minutes
3.2 | From Piazza Bra:
The easiest and most economical way to get to Juliet House from Piazza Bra is to walk via Via Giuseppe Mazzini. It takes 8 minutes. You can also get to your destination via Via Anfiteatro (8 minutes) and Via Leoncino (10 minutes). Take a look here
3.3 | From Piazza delle Erbe
The quickest way to get to Juliet House is from Piazza delle Erbe – 2 minutes.
For a comprehensive guide to navigating the city of Verona, go to the comprehensive guide — this is the only guide you need on public transportation and ways to explore this enchanting medieval city.
4 | Places to Stay in Verona
4.1 | Relais De Charme Il Sogno Di Giulietta
Stay in the heart of the historic old town and enjoy breakfast served in your room. Il Sogno Di Giulietta is set in the courtyard of Juliet’s house and offers elegant rooms. In the evening the courtyard is reserved to guests only, to admire the famous balcony in private. Some rooms have direct views of Juliet’s balcony and some face Via Cappello.
4.2 | Other Places to Stay near Piazza Bra
My thoughts on Romeo and Juliet in Fair Verona
There is no denying that the creation and subsequent promotion of Juliet’s House is a clever marketing strategy over a story that is totally a fiction. Almost everything about this house is fiction, the balcony, the pieces of art for a medieval feel, the bed and the list goes on — all created by men to breathe life into the fictitious enduring love of Romeo and Juliet.
On the other hand, there is no denying that the emotions that draw people to this house is real. You only need to read the messages on the wall or excerpts of letters to know that the emotions that accompany these messages are real. There is strength in these emotions. It defeats rationality and logic. The messages here aren’t all about lost love and looking to find their true love. For some, they have found their true love, while some found their true love after their visit to Juliet’s House and touching her right breast! I sincerely believe that this bit about Juliet’s house is not a marketing strategy.
While there are many interesting things to do in ‘Fair Verona’, a visit to Juliet House should and must be one of them.
xoxo
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