Piazza delle Erbe

Piazza delle Erbe sits at the heart of Verona, where Roman, medieval, Renaissance and Baroque layers meet. For over two thousand years, this rhomboidal space has held the city’s social, commercial and religious life. Roman remains lie about three metres below today’s paving, including foundations, columns and a paved road. Restaurants and bars around the square reveal some of these traces in their cellars.

The surrounding buildings create a detailed historical panorama. Torre dei Lamberti rises 84 metres beside the old town hall, while the Mazzanti Houses display colourful frescoed façades. Palazzo Maffei carries statues of Greek gods, and a white marble column supports the Lion of St. Mark. At the centre, the Madonna Verona fountain combines a statue from the year 380 with a medieval structure built by Cansignorio della Scala.

Market life continues through a few fruit and vegetable stalls, souvenir sellers and open-air bars serving aperitifs. A thirteenth-century capitello once hosted official ceremonies, while a kiosk preserves old market measurements carved into stone. Look above the rib arch for a large hanging rib, possibly from a whale or an ichthyosaur.