Situated 59 m. above sea level, at the foot of the Lessini mountains and on the banks of the Adige river, at the junction of important lines of communication between the Po Valley and Central Europe, Verona was founded by the Euganeans and grew in importance during the imperial Roman period; successively, it submitted to the Barbarians and was the seat of duchies, first the Lombard and then the Frankish. Constituting a free municipality in the thirteenth century, it was a member of the Lombard League against Barbarossa; after the occupations of Ezzelino da Romano and the Viscontis, Verona fell in 1262 under the control of the Della Scalas, who dominated it until 1387 when it again became a Visconti possession. In 1405, it became part of the Venetian Republic, sharing its fortunes until 1797. After Austrian domination, it was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1866.
Monuments: The Arena, the Roman theatre and Porta dei Borsari (1st century BC.), Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore (12th century, famous example of Romanesque architecture), Arche Scaligere (Gothic complex, 14th century), Duomo (Romanesque-Gothic, 12th-15th century), Castelvecchio (14th century, seat of the Museo d'Arte), San Fermo Maggiore (Romanesque), various Renaissance buildings (among which: Belilacqua, Canossa, Pompei), Porta Palio, Porta Nuova (by Sanmicheli, 15th century), Loggia del Consiglio (Renaissance), Tomba di Giulietta (Juliet's tomb), Piazza delle Erbe.
As far as economy is concerned, Verona is particularly an active agricultural centre, where horticultural products are distributed to Central Europe. Industry is developed in the engineering paper, chemical and food sectors. Tourism is also a very important economic factor.
Events: The Opera season at the Arena (July-August), Fiera di Verona (agricultural-livestock fair in March), Vinitaly (April), `Bacanal del Gnoco' (Good Friday).
Famous People: Caio Valerio Catullo (Latin poet, 87-54 BC), Paolo Calieri known as `il Veronese' (artist, 1528-1588), Ippolito Pindemonte (poet, 1753-1828), Cangrande I Della Scala (1291-1328), Emilio Salgari (writer, 1863-1911), Aleardo Aleardi (poet and patriot, 1812-1878).
Cultural Institutions: University, Museo Civico di Storia Naturale (museum of natural history, Bolca fossils), Museo Lapidario Maffeiano, Museo Archeologico and Museo del Risorgimento (museums), Biblioteca Civica (library), Museo di Castelvecchio and Museo degli Affreschi (museums) Galleria d'Arte Moderna.
In the Province: Legnago (Musei della Fondazione Fioroni-museums), Soave (Grape festival in September), Cisano (festival of the `osei', song birds); Lazise, Garda, Bardolino, Torri del Benaco, Malcesine (Museo del Castello Scaligero, museum) and Peschiera del Garda.
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