From gladiators to opera singers in the Arena di Verona

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Verona is a city straddling the Adige river in Veneto, northern Italy most famous as the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The area was already inhabited in prehistoric times, but who the first people were to establish themselves there remains a mystery. In 89 BC, when it became a Roman Colony, the city began to stand out. The traces of the Romans' works remain very much in evidence to this day. It is one of the main tourist destinations in northern Italy, owing to its artistic heritage, several annual fairs, shows, and operas, such as the lyrical season in the Arena, the ancient amphitheatre built by the Romans. The city has been awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO because of its urban structure and architecture. Verona remains one of Italy’s most underrated cities despite its picturesque center of cobblestone streets lined with medieval pink-hued buildings, well-preserved Roman sites and dozens of churches. A short hop from major hubs like Milan and Venice, the former Roman settlement never feels overrun by tourists. Verona is so culturally vibrant, you’ll find time for lavish meals in inventive new restaurants, tastings at wine bars tucked away behind unassuming facades and shopping in small boutiques off the main arteries.

The Arena of Verona was built by the Romans in the 1st century AD, in the Augustan period. Its name comes from its central area, which was covered with sand. As in all amphitheaters, the famous gladiator fights were held here. Walking through the ancient corridors you are overwhelmed by the sheer size of the structure. With 44 levels, the arena has a current capacity of about 15,000 patrons. In its prime it had a capacity of 20,000. The stone seats definitely require a little padding, but it is truly a wonderful venue. In the days of the Roman empire, up to 30,000 people would travel to Verona to watch gladiators fight against ferocious beasts during the Roman games; circus acts and plays would also be staged. Photo of the Inside of Verona Arena with a scenery for an Aida opera performance. From gladiators then to opera singers now.

Verona is een stad in Noord-Italië en is hoofdstad van de gelijknamige provincie Verona in de regio Veneto. De stad ligt ten oosten van Milaan. De binnenstad van Verona staat sinds 2000 op de Werelderfgoedlijst van UNESCO. Verona is het meest bekend als stad van Romeo en Julia, Shakespeare's legendarische liefdespaar. Het veronderstelde balkon van Julia in de Via Cappella, haar graf en de kerk waar het huwelijk van dit beroemde paar zou zijn ingezegend, trekken jaarlijks vele duizenden toeristen. Veel bezoekers beschouwen het schilderachtige Verona als een uiterst prettige stad, meer ontspannen dan de nabij gelegen toeristen-bijenkorf Venetië. Het centrum van de stad aan de rivier de Adige is de Piazza della Erbe. Vroeger was hier een Romeins forum, nu wordt er dagelijks een levendige groentemarkt gehouden. Verona was voor de Romeinen al een belangrijk centrum vanwege de ligging aan het eind van de Brennerpas. Hier kwamen drie Romeinse wegen samen. Het bekendste gebouw van Verona is de Arena, na het Colosseum in Rome het grootste bewaard gebleven Romeinse amfitheater. Het bouwwerk kan overdag worden bezichtigd, en is tijdens de zomermaanden s'avonds het decor van wereldberoemde operavoorstellingen.

Taken in: Italia / Veneto / Verona / Cittadella (show map)

Taken on: July 26, 2010

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Camera: Panasonic DMC-LX3, f/8.0, 1/320 sec, 5.1mm, ISO 80 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Panasonic DMC-LX3
Aperture:	f/8.0
Exposure Time:	0.003 sec (1/320)
Focal Length:	5.1mm
ISO:	80
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Spot
White Balance:	Manual
Light Source:	Fine Weather
Sharpness:	Hard
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	PaintShop Pro 15,00
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