Discount Hotels Verona
Historical interest: Verona
    
Verona's history dates back to ancient times when the Indo-European population
settled at the place where the course of the river slowed, watering the fertile
hills that surrounded it. The natural resources of the area made it an ideal location
for a new city, the nucleus of which was built atop the hill where San Pietro
Castle now stands.
Verona's first significant contact with ancient Rome was in 216 BC, when the
city allied itself with the Romans at the Battle of Canne. However, Verona did
not officially become a Roman city until 49 BC after which time, because of
its political importance and magnificent monuments (second only to Rome), Verona
became known as Piccola Roma (Little Rome).
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Verona's history is confused with legend.
What is known is that the Ostrogothian King Teodorico brought his people to
the region, choosing Verona to house his court, where he ruled from a regal
palace he built in the hills.
His successor, King Alboino, ruled Verona during the period that the city was
the capital of the Longobards of Italy. When Desiderio was defeated by the powerful
Carlo Magno, Magno's son Pipino selected the beautiful Verona as his place of
residence.
During medieval times, the bitter fight for dominance of Verona between the
leading families of the area ended with the Scaligeri family taking control
in 1277 and maintaining rule for the next 110 years. The Scaligeri family transformed
the city both physically, with the erection of countless magnificent buildings,
and culturally, through a strong patronage of the arts.
They supported painters and poets such as Giotto, Altichiero, Dante Alighieri
(who dedicated the final part of his Divine Comedy to his benefactor) and Petrarch.
It was in this period, according to legend, that the tragic lovers Romeo and
Juliet, immortalised in the work of William Shakespeare, were said to have lived.
The many great powers that have ruled Verona during its long history have all
left their mark on the city and today evidence of their presence and influence
can be seen in the architecture, art, cuisine and attitude of the modern community.
Selection of hotels in this region:
Boscolo Hotel Leon D'Oro | | Villa Malaspina Hotel | | Cristallo Hotel | | Holiday Inn Verona East | | Hotel Mastino | | Hotel Maxim | |
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
|
