Verona

:This page is about the city in Italy; for other uses, see Verona (disambiguation).

History

The origins of Verona are uncertain, and it is not even known how the city came by its name. Archaeological evidence indicates that the area which was to become Verona has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and was later occupied by Etruscans, the Eugaei or Raetii tribes, but the first historical records of its existence are from the 4th century BC. Verona was already an important Roman settlement by 89 BC. The center of the modern city preserves the outlines of the original Roman military settlement, which was called Colonia Augusta Verona. Like all towns founded on Roman military camps, it is divided by two main streets (the cardus and decumanus) at right angles, thus creating four quarters. Most of the important Roman remains in Verona date from the 1st century BC, including the Amphitheatre, Theatre, arches, gates and bridges. Verona is second only to Rome itself in its concentration of Roman architectural remains in Italy. The city?s importance to the Roman Empire is emphasized by the fact that three major Roman roads terminated at Verona: the Via Claudia Augusta, Via Gallica and Via Postumia. The great Roman poet Q. Valerius Catullus was a native of Verona.

Related Topics:
Etruscans - Raetii - 4th century BC - Roman - Roman military camp - Cardus - Decumanus - Amphitheatre - Roman Empire - Roman roads - Via Claudia Augusta - Via Gallica - Via Postumia - Catullus

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In 268 AD, Verona was the site of a battle between Emperor Claudius and invading German tribes. In 312 AD, the rival Emperors Constantine and Maxentius fought a battle outside of Verona, and again in 402 AD, Vandal forces under Stilicho fought against the Visigoths led by Alaric. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Verona was briefly under Byzantine rule from Ravenna, followed by Ostrogoth rule by Theodoric the Great, who built a castle here. Lombard King Alboin was murdered by his wife Rosamund in Verona. It was captured by Charlemagne in 774, and became the residence of his son, Pippin. Later, Verona became a free city, and sided with the Guelph party against the Ghibellines. During this time, it developed its own style of art, a synthesis of Ottonian and Carolingian influences. It was known as a center of culture, and the Schola Sacerdotum academy drew scholars from all over western Europe.

Related Topics:
268 - Claudius - German - 312 - Constantine - Maxentius - 402 - Vandal - Stilicho - Visigoth - Alaric - Western Roman Empire - Byzantine - Ravenna - Ostrogoth - Theodoric the Great - Lombard - Alboin - Charlemagne - 774 - Pippin - Guelph - Ghibellines - Ottonian - Carolingian

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In 1164, the Commune of Verona allied itself with the other mainland cities against Holy Roman Emperor Barbarossa. In 1262, local strongman Leonardino della Scala, nicknamed Mastino (the Mastiff) was voted lord of the city, thus beginning the rule of the della Scala (Scaligeri) family. Verona under the reign of Mastino's nephew Bartolomeo was the setting for the romance between Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet ("Romeo and Juliet") ? locales in the city associated with that story are now major tourist sights. By 1308, under the rule of Cangrande I (?Big Dog?), Verona dominated all of the Veneto and was an anti-Papal stronghold. Its court became a cultural refuge for artists and writers. Dante dedicated the third section of his Divine Comedy to his patron and friend, Cangrande. Under the rule of Mastino II, the domain of Verona extended to Parma, Brescia and Lucca.

Related Topics:
1164 - Holy Roman Emperor - Barbarossa - 1262 - Scaliger - Romeo and Juliet - Veneto - Papal - Dante - Divine Comedy - Parma - Brescia - Lucca

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In 1387, anti-Scala forces (Venice, Florence, Milan and the Papal States) united to overthrow the della Scala, and Verona fell to the armies of Gian Galeazzo Visconti of Milan. In 1404, Visconti's widow brought Verona to the Carraresi clan of Padua, and in 1405, the city was conquered by Venice. The Venetian Republic retained control for some 400 years, except for a brief period from 1509-1517, when it came under rule by Austrian Emperor Maximilian. During the long period of Venetian rule, Verona continued in its role as a cultural center, producing famous artists such as Stefano da Verona and Pisanello, and Paolo Caliari (Veronese).

Related Topics:
1387 - Venice - Florence - Milan - Papal States - Visconti - Padua - 1405 - Austria - Maximilian - Stefano da Verona - Pisanello - Veronese

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Venetian rule came to an end with the arrival of the French under Napoleon in 1797, when it was annexed into the Cisalpine Republic. After the fall of Napoleon, it came under Austrian rule, and one of the fortress group called Quadrilatero. Verona hosted the Congress of Verona in 1822, the last of the meetings of the Quadruple Alliance. In 1866 Verona was captured by Italian troops during the Austro-Prussian War, and was annexed into the Kingdom of Italy.

Related Topics:
French - Napoleon - 1797 - Cisalpine Republic - Quadrilatero - Congress of Verona - Quadruple Alliance - 1866 - Austro-Prussian War - Kingdom of Italy

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During the First World War, Verona was one of the most heavily damaged cities in Italy. It was bombed in the Second World War. The city today is a major tourist destination, and is also known for its wines (Soave, Valpolicella, Bardolino), handicrafts industries and light manufacturing.?In the year 2000, the entire center of Verona was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Related Topics:
First World War - Second World War - Soave - Valpolicella - Bardolino - 2000 - UNESCO - World Heritage Site

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