Verona

A an ancient city with a strong Roman heritage and many statues, architecture still an integral part of the city . We stayed at the comfortable Guest House Bra where we  had a memorable breakfast overlooking the Roman Arena.

Sketched during our 1st memorable breakfast close to the Roman Arena, Verona
Sketching the Roman Arena, Verona
A sketched fragment of the Roman Arena, Verona
The Roman bridge over the fast-flowing River Adige, Verona
Sketch of the Complex of the Duomo (Cathedral) seen from the Roman arched bridge across the fast-flowing River Adige
We walked to the nearby Roman walls and Basilica of S. Zeno, patron saint of Verona (North African!). Romanesque building 800AD with pleasing proportions and flanked by majestic cypresses, high, vaulted ceiling and amazing frescoes of followers of Giotto in 14th Century: a harmonious seated Madonna with chair, feet perspective. Striking triptych by Andrea Mantegna (1457-1459) at alter with 3 lower prices stolen by Napoleon and now in France!
 
Further on we visited. the Church of S Fermi (5th century), originally Benedictine, now Franciscan. As we entered our eyes were drawn to an amazing high ceiling made of wood, like an inverted boat hull, with beams from 12,000 larch trees and thousands of nails, Along 9 of the wooden rafters were painted heads of 416 saints and donors. There were impressive frescoes in the lower church where I found the oldest image and touching image of of St. Francis by 13th century Cimabue, teacher of Giotto.
Sunset over the Roman bridge, the fast-flowing river Adige and the city of Verona
Oldest painting of St. Francis by Cimabue (1240-1302), teacher of Giotto di Bondone
In contrast to St. Francis, we visited the famed Julietta’s house, now  bustling with visitors and managed to catch a glimpse of the balcony where Romeo had seen her. We then visited her ‘tomb’ below the yard which showed a bust of Shakespeare.  
 
Crossing the handsome Roman bridge, we then climbed up to the Castelo de S. Pietro and enjoyed a magnificent sunset over the Adige river and  the city of Verona….before leaving for our next impressive destination: Milan.