In Fair Verona Where We Lay Our Scene

In fair Verona, wrote William Shakespeare, was the scene of an ill-fated romance between two young "star-crossed" lovers. Over the last several centuries, the story of the lovers Romeo and Juliet has spanned the globe.

As the world's most famous playwright and poet, Shakespeare has received much of the acclaim for their existence. But is he really the creator of the story of Romeo and Juliet?

While the play bearing the names of the two famous lovers is usually attributed to Shakespeare because of his tragic drama, an Italian named Luigi da Porto of Vicenza wrote the actual story in the 1520s.

In high school classrooms and discussions of fine drama, Shakespeare generally receives the credit for the story as we know it today, but his inspiration was actually da Porto's characters. The story with which most of us are most familiar is from Shakespeare's work, but the actual tale is da Porto's.

A City Rich in Literary History Verona's history is very much a part of literary history. Shakespeare and Dante, to name two, are among the writers and artists who have referenced the city in their works.

The prosperous city with fine artwork and history dating back to the Middle Ages is the second largest city in the Veneto area (Venice is the biggest), but its ties to two of the greatest literary works written by man are have made Verona a well-known city.

Just Like Romeo and Juliet

Fans of Shakespeare's famous play can try to live the story of Romeo and Juliet when they visit Verona.

In Verona, you can visit the Casa di Giulietta, or Juliet's house, at No. 27 Via Cappello. In the Italian legend, Romeo climbed Juliet's balcony. But as you'll see in Verona, the house's facade is actually part of a restored 13th century inn.

Each year, Verona's visitors flock to see the side of the Casa di Giulietta. They stand on the small marble balcony, trying to place themselves inside the famous story. The balcony, however, is not as grand as adaptations of the story would have us believe, but the feeling of being inside the story is no doubt just as great.

Just a few streets away, a run-down house also attracts visitors to Verona. The Casa di Romeo, or Romeo's house, is east of the Piazza dei Signori. The legends surrounding the Casa di Giulietta and the Casa di Romeo make for an exciting trip for Verona's visitors.

For the complete tour of the places that supposedly were the backdrop for the original story of the two young lovers from rival families, you should travel to the Tomba di Giulietta, or Juliet's Tomb. The tomb is featured in a crypt below the San Francesco al Corso on Via del Pontiere.

After traveling to the house where Juliet, as the folklore has it, called out to her Romeo, and the house of her great lover, a trip to the Tomba di Giulietta can give a visitor a sense of the whirlwind courtship and tragedy that engulfed two of the greatest lovers history has known, Romeo and Juliet. Simply Devine

Besides Shakespeare's famous play, Verona has also provided the backdrop for the Italian native Dante's Divine Comedy.

Before da Porto had ever envisioned Romeo and Juliet, the Scaligeri family began their 127-year reign over Verona in 1263. Though known for using ruthless tactics to gain power, once established, the Scaligeri's brought order and rule to a society once nearly ruined by civil strife. In addition, they helped foster culture within Verona.

In 1301 Dante dedicated the final part of his Divine Comedy to the ruling family, impressed with their ruling over Verona.

West of Romeo's house, you'll fine the Piazza dei Signori. An elegant 19th century statue of the epic poet stands in the center of the square. On the statue, Dante's eyes appear forbidding, fixed on the Palazzo del Capitano, which was once the home of Verona's military commanders.

Visit Verona

For travelers who are literary buffs, Verona is a must on the itinerary. Hopefully a visit to Verona will enhance your understanding of the backdrops of Shakespeare's play and Dante's epic poem.

Or, maybe you'll feel like you stepped into the story as you stand atop Juliet's balcony calling for your Romeo.