Verona's famous arena and the Piazza Bra

I Portoni della Bra - the double arches are an entrance to the Piazza Bra.

Saturday                                                                                        October 16, 2021

Verona's most famous architectural treasure is the 1st Century Roman arena.  It is located in the old city, surrounded by the Piazza Bra.  Piazza Bra is the largest in Verona, but it really didn't become a piazza until two major buildings were completed in the 17 and 1800's that defined the space. Now it's a lively place, with shops, offices, the Verona city hall, fountains, and the arena.

Walking to Piazza Bra; the Gran Guardia on the right and Palazzo Barbieri, Verona's town hall, on the horizon

Piazza Bra, complete with market stalls and an art installation

These large portoni arches date from medieval times and allowed entrance into the city through the city walls.

The Verona Roman arena - from Wikipedia: "The building itself was built in the first century AD on a site then beyond the city walls. The ludi (shows and games) staged there were so famous that spectators came from many other places, often far away, to witness them. While it can now host crowds of up to 22,000, the original amphitheater could seat 30,000 spectators.  The arena has been used by many contemporary performers, including Pink Floyd, Rod Stewart, and Elton John."  Every year, it is host to an opera series.  I would love to see Aida staged here!     

The 2026 Winter Olympics closing ceremonies will be held in Verona's arena.

This "ala", on the left, is all that remains of the arena's original marble outer ring, destroyed in an 1117 earthquake.

In front of the Palazzo della Gran Guardia is a sign "Gabinetti Pubblici" - public restrooms - located underground

Imagine my surprise at the elegance of these individual public restrooms!

Even the individual rooms are beautifully tiled - so now you know!

A major public exhibition was going on outside the arena in Piazza Bra.  All the different public safety units had displays.  This one, by the fire department, allowed children to spray the fire hoses at targets and to sound the sirens on the truck.  Very popular!  Michael got into it as well, when the paratrooper/alpine unit members invited him to sit on their rescue snowmobile.