"Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, where we lay our scene" - these very first words from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" made Verona the immortal symbol of the great love. This tragic love story still attracts romantics from all over the world to this ancient Italian city.

Verona is situated on the Adige River banks not far from Garda Lake. It is the centre where all the main routes cross. Now Verona is rather industrialized city, but it still charms with the medieval atmosphere and the luxury of the renaissance buildings.

Till 89 AD Verona was a colony of the Roman Empire. Due to its comfortable situation Verona rapidly achieved prosperity and power. After the fall of the Roman Empire Verona continued to flourish and reached its highest peak in 13-14 centuries. Since 1404 Verona belonged to Venetian Republic and in 1866 was united with the rest of Italy.

Now Verona is the second biggest city in Veneto province (after Venice) and one of the most known cities in the North-West of Italy. In amount of the pre-Christian monuments Verona can be compared only with Rome.

One of Verona main attractions is Arena di Verona, world's third biggest amphitheatre, but it's in much better condition than Roman Coliseum. It was built in I century AD during the last years of the emperor August rule. It has a shape of oval with 139 meters in length. The auditorium counts 45 steps and can seat 16000. During its long history Arena di Verona was the place for gladiators' fights, knights' tournaments and others spectacular shows. Now Arena di Verona hosts annual summer opera festival. It was opened in 1913 with "Aida" by Giuseppe Verdi. Opera festival attracts over half a million visitors every year.

The other place attracting crowds of tourists is the legendary Casa di Giulietta. History holds back if there were real Giulietta and if she ever lived here. The house with the famous balcony is a symbol where enamored swear in the eternal love.

The centre of the city is Piazza Erbe. The square received its name in the honor of the ancient vegetable market. The market still exists on the square and there you can find almost everything. On the north of the square there stands Palazzo Maffei with statues. On the west of the square you can see Casa dei Mazzanti built in 1303.

The second important square is Piazza dei Signori. In the centre there stands the elegant statue of Dante facing Palazzo del Capitano, the former residence of Verona commanders. It neighbors Palazzo Ragone (the Palace of Justice). Both palaces were built in XIV century.

Verona boasts a lot of beautiful churches. Basilica San Zeno Maggiore is considered to be one of the most remarkable masterpieces of the Roman architecture.