Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House) in Verona

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A Pilgrimage for Romantics and Shakespeare-lovers

O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? 
Deny thy father and refuse thy name; 
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, 
And I'll no longer be a Capulet. 

Shakespeare’s lines have thrilled poetry-lovers and romantics for centuries and have inspired generations of pilgrims to seek out the star-crossed lovers in their hometown of Verona.  Nevermind that there may never have been a Juliet in the first place... or that the place now known as Juliet’s House may never have belonged to a family called “Cappello.” The thrill is there nonetheless. 

The house itself is a museum, though many visitors skip the spartan furnishings on display and simply pose for photos on the famed balcony.  Standing in the courtyard below, it’s not uncommon to hear full recitations -- even dramatic presentations -- of Shakespeare’s balcony scene from visitors who have come from all over the world. 

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The Essentials

  • Location:  southeast of Piazza delle Erbe in Verona

  • Hours: Mon 1:30-7:30pm; Tues-Sun 8:30am-7:30pm. (Last admission 45 min. before closing.)

  • Price: entrance into the building is 4€ adults, 3€ children; the courtyard is free

  • Who will love it?: romantics who don’t care of historical accuracy; anyone who has read Romeo and Juliet. This is a great activity with teens! The balcony is in a lovely part of town where teens can wander and shop unaccompanied for awhile with little worry.

  • Notes: The museum is filled with artifacts from the time period, but there is absolutely no proof that Juliet and her family lived in the house -- or even that there was a Juliet.  In fact, some say the balcony itself was added on to the building in the 1920s.  I recommend skipping the museum, but stopping by to take a quick snapshot of the balcony itself. 

Casa di Giulietta
Via Cappello 23
Verona

Nearby:
Verona is a charming city, and Juliet’s house is not the only thing to recommend it.  In the center of the old city the Arena is fantastic -- a tiny Colosseum where operas are staged under the stars all summer long.  For those truly on a Romeo and Juliet pilgrimage, Juliet’s tomb is in the Capuchin monastery San Francesco al Corso (Via delle Pontiere 5, near the river).  For a small fee you can see the tomb where the lovers died as well as the small church where they were married.

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