Verona, Italy
Airing Date: Sep 1st, 2006
In Verona, you can visit the Casa di Giulietta, or Juliet's house, at No. 27 Via Cappello. This building, originally dating back to the 12th century, was owned by the Dal Cappello family and there is a bronze statue of Juliet at the house.
This statue is very popular with visitors - you'll notice the right breast is much more brightly polished than the left. That's the result of a tradition that calls for visitors to rub it as they pass for good luck!
Juliet's house is just moments away from Piazza Erbe, the centre of Verona since Roman times. Today the only Roman feature of the square is the female statue which Cansignorio used to form the beautiful fountain in the centre of the Piazza in 1368.
The sculpture, popularly known as the Madonna Verona was placed atop a large marble basin from the Roman baths. Named after the city's old herb market, the Piazza Erbe still remains the lively centre of the city today with permanent market stalls in the centre.
The Roman Arena has been staging plays since before Shakespeare's time. It is well preserved, despite a 12th century earthquake that destroyed most of its' outer wall.
It's the third largest Roman amphitheatre in existence after the Colosseum and the Santa Maria Capua Vetera, near Naples.
Today this pink marble Roman amphitheatre, on the bustling Piazza Bra, serves as Verona's opera house.
Throughout the year the arena hosts musical and cultural events, including opera and drama, from July to September.
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