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Square · Verona, Vêneto
Piazza delle Erbe
Verona’s oldest square, located on the site of the ancient Roman forum, with market stalls, the fountain of the Madonna Verona, houses with frescoes and the Torre dei Lamberti.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Piazza delle Erbe
Piazza delle Erbe occupies the area of the Roman forum, at the crossing of the two main streets of the old city. Remains of Roman buildings lie about 4 meters below the present ground level. In the Middle Ages the square became the commercial center, a role it retains today with the market stalls.
In the middle of the square stands the fountain of the Madonna Verona, with a Roman statue reused in the 14th century. Nearby are the column topped by the lion of São Marco, symbol of Venetian rule from 1405, and the capitel, a small stone pavilion where public ceremonies were held.
Around the square, the Case Mazzanti keep 16th-century frescoes on their façades, and the baroque Palazzo Maffei closes the northwest side with statues on top. The Torre dei Lamberti, 84 meters high, rises beside the Palazzo della Ragione, and the Arco della Costa leads to the Piazza dei Signori; hanging under the arch is a whale rib, linked to several local legends.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About half an hour to walk around; longer if you climb the Torre dei Lamberti or stop at a café.
Best time
In the morning, when the market is set up, and in the early evening at aperitivo time, when the square’s bars fill up.
How to get there
About a 10-minute walk from Piazza Bra via Via Mazzini. From Casa di Giulietta it's 2 minutes.
Tip
The stalls in the square sell more souvenirs than produce. For food, head to the nearby streets. Among the stalls, keep your bag closed and in front of you.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Piazza delle Erbe
What is the rib hanging from the Arco della Costa?
It's a whale rib that has been there for centuries, probably brought as a curiosity from the East. A legend says it will fall on the head of the first honest person who walks beneath it.
Does Piazza delle Erbe still have a market?
Yes. Stalls are in the square every day, but today they sell more souvenirs, fruit, and snacks than everyday household goods.
What's the difference between Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori?
Erbe was the center of commerce; the Signori, next to it, was the center of power, with the palaces of the Scaligeri government. One leads into the other through the Arco della Costa.