So, let's go back to our March/April vacation in Venice-Verona! Sometimes I feel like I've barely scratched the surface, but truly I have, I know.
You can safely say that after doing all the research before Verona, what we most wanted to see was the Arena.
As you can see, it stands out like a sore thumb...looking like Rome's Colosseum.
[Google image]
In fact, it really is oval in shape, as you see here, like the Roman Colosseum...not round.
Interestingly, the Verona Arena was built in AD 30, before the Colosseum was built in AD 70.
However, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheater in the world, while the Arena is the 3rd largest.
[Google image]
The Saturday we visited Verona's Arena was during their Garden Floridea flower show.
OMG! What a showcase for such an historic landmark!
Before we went inside, we walked all around its outer perimeter.
The outer ring of white and pink limestone was almost completely destroyed from an earthquake
in 1117. But the inner ring you see now is well preserved, considering.
Like Rome's Colosseum, if you've ever been there, you enter via the passageways below.
Look at how tall they are.
Some passageways seemed stunted by comparison, but once you climb the stairs,
you quickly find the doorways into the actual arena, like baseball stadiums in America!
In earlier years, the Arena was used for gladiator fights, jousts and game tournaments.
Since the 18th century it's been used primarily for opera performances.
In fact, they were setting up for one while we were there.
You can picture it, can't you...attending an opera there.
We have good imaginations and left it at that...picturing it.
The next day, Sunday, as we walked back through town, we had our own free performance.
Apparently Italy is known for its flag-throwing competitions, as part of their Medieval festivals,
so we felt lucky to happen upon this one, against the backdrop of the Arena.
These are the memories you don't soon forget!
We have seen the Colosseum in Rome. This one is incredible too. Opera there would be a once in a lifetime experience.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Marie. Opera under the open sky. I wonder what it would sound like outside the Arena???
DeleteI did not even know there is an arena in Venice. I would if I'd been there! (grrr)
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos of it, Boots. It looks quite good, I'd say. I have been to the Coliseum in Rome, though I remember little. It was a whirlwind afternoon in Rome on our way to the airport to fly to Tel Aviv.
And have you ever watched medieval Scottish games? Similar, I'd guess.
Actually, Ruth, this is in Verona, not Venice (which doesn't have room for one, I'm sure!). But I didn't there was one in Verona until we started doing our research. That's partly why we chose Verona as the other city to see while in Italy this year.
DeleteI've seen the Roman Colosseum twice, and once inside. Lots of similarities,
of course, but I'm most surprised that it was built after Verona's Arena. Since Rome's is the largest, I've always thought of it as the precursor of all those found elsewhere.
Scottish games would be similar, I'm sure, but, no, I haven't seen them.
Bonsoir Ginnie. C'est une belle manière de voir Vérone dont bien souvent les touristes ne demandent à voir que la maison de Juliette et ignorent tout le reste. C'est plaisant pour moi de revoir cette ville où je ne suis pas retournée depuis 1976. Merci.
ReplyDelete1976 seems such a long time ago, Marie. :) I wonder if much of anything has changed since then? I'm so glad to say we saw SO MUCH MORE than just the Juliet House. That was fun but the churches, etc. were just magnificent. OMG!
DeleteOMG, there's so much more to see than Juliet's balcony. I did not know this. I would love to see this.
ReplyDeleteAnd what's funny, Maria, is that we didn't even know about Juliet's house at all before we went there. It was the Arena we wanted to see and why we chose Verona, apart from Venice!
Deletewould looooove to see an opera there!!! and i've only seen flag throwing in movies.... thanks for the tour, sister... lovely pictures!!
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine what an opera there would sound like, Elaine. We have a German friend who recently went to Venice on an opera tour, seeing 3 operas, as I recall. I bet she would have wanted to travel a bit further to see the one here in the Arena!
DeleteThanks again for your kind and sweet support.
Seeing and walking through the Arena was quite the experience. I always picture me being in that time and what it would have been with thousands of people and gladiators fighting for their lives... Now there is the 'skeleton' of an amazing building surrounded by that , held once a year, sea of flowers and later the 'flag throwing', how lucky can you get in 4 days Verona... another wonderful memory to keep. IHVJ.
ReplyDeleteAnd to think this was around the time of Jesus. It blows my mind! Built to last! We were so lucky to see the flower show then AND the flag-throwing exhibition.
DeleteWhat an amazing structure and of course having the flower show was icing on top of it!
ReplyDeleteThese old amphitheaters blow my mind, Robin, because of WHEN they were built (around the time the time of Jesus). It's amazing they still stand. We don't build things like that anymore, do we...built to last! The flower show definitely WAS the icing on top of it all.
Delete