Dark Historical Verona Walking Tour: Explore the Cruel History and Heartbreaking Tragedies of Verona
4.9
72 Ratings
Verona
Uncover the dark and tragic history of Verona on this walking tour. Experience the cruelty of ancient fights, the sorrow of public shame, and the heartbreak of ill-fated love stories.
Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Arena di Verona - We will not enter the Arena, but you’ll learn about the history of the building and some of the many stories that took place there … you’ll be magnetized by it !
    What happened in the Arena on the Ides of March of year 54 AD? Why were 176 people - including children - burnt alive on February, 13th, 1278?

  • Sinagoga di Verona - What happened to the Jewish family who lived next to the Synagogue during WWII? See Verona from a different perspective and discover some of the darkest times that occurred in there.

  • Piazza delle Erbe - You’ll live the Medieval life and learn about its cruelties while watching the pillory or the tower where exposition cage hanged …

  • Piazza dei Signori - Passing by the corner where Mastiff I of the Scala Family, the ruler of Verona, was murdered in 1277, we’ll reach Signori Square, and learn about the sad destiny of orphans, about Dante and his flight from Florence, and then the hard life under the Austrian-Hungarian Empire …

  • Arche Scaligere - Looking at the Scala Family Tombs, we’ll come to know about some of the plots that brought to their end: the hate among brothers, the murders, the attacks …

  • Casa di Giulietta - You’ll cry your eyes out at the sad story of the two doomed lovers …

What's Included
  • Local guide
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Join us on this guided walking tour as we unravel some of the grimmest chapters in Verona’s history. Experience the ferocious gladiatorial battles that took place in the Arena, walk through the ancient Jewish Ghetto, and learn about the tragic fates of its past residents. Next, in Piazza Erbe, we will empathize with the humiliation and agony of those subjected to public shame. We’ll visit the site where Mastino I was assassinated, explore the arch used for displaying torture devices, and view the tombs of the Scala family. We’ll also visit the courtyard where numerous decapitated skeletons were uncovered. Finally, we will conclude our tour with the melancholic tale of Rome & Juliet. Brace yourself for an emotional journey, filled with heartbreaking, chilling human tragedies that happened in these very locales.

Location
Piazza Brà
At the Statue of Vittorio Emanuele II (the one on horseback near the central fountain)
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(72 Ratings)
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Manuela_d
Mar 12, 2024
Romantic Verona! - María Pía was very passionate about Verona. She is very knowledgeable & entertaining. A very enjoyable experience!
Review provided by Viator
Melanie_h
Dec 29, 2023
Enjoyed it! - This was a very interesting and informative tour. I completely enjoyed it and our guide was an extremely nice lady.
Review provided by Viator
Scott_i
Nov 22, 2023
Tour Guide was the star - The tour guide was fantastic and made the tour for me with the history but little misleading in the description. That being said we really enjoyed it
Review provided by Viator
Thomas_h
Oct 22, 2023
Dark Historical Verona Walking Tour - Girolami Maria Pia was our tour guide. She was very lively and made the tour a lot of fun. Her knowledge of Verona was extensive. She had many stories to tell and also explained about the architecture of the buildings that we passed by. I would recommend this fun and educational tour. Our group had ages 25 to 78 and we all enjoyed it.
Review provided by Viator
Gill_m
Sep 18, 2023
In fair Verona - Arrived in Verona that afternoon and this was a lovely introduction to the city. Engaging & knowledgeable guide.
Review provided by Viator
Linda_e
Sep 13, 2023
Storytelling at its best - The guide was a wonderful storyteller. Enthusiastic and easy to understand. She made it a fascinating tour and I wished we had more tine to truly make the most of Verona. An excellent tour. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Nicole
Sep 10, 2023
Shotout to Maria - Great Tour Guide - Maria was the best tour guide I could have had on my trip to Verona. I learned so much from her in such a short time. I really could have listened to her stories all day.
Review provided by Viator
Maria_s
Aug 31, 2023
Evening Tour in Verona - Maria is a very enthusiastic tour guide. She has a wonderful way to keep everyone activated with her stories about this beautiful city.
Review provided by Viator
108alexandery
Aug 20, 2023
A tour of Verona with a Romeo and Juliet theme! - Our guide Maria was very knowledgeable and showed us great spots, told us about the history of Verona and answered all of our questions thoroughly. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Megan
Apr 23, 2024
Enjoyable night tour! - This was a fun tour and our guide was very informative and put a dramatic spin on history. She was very friendly and it was fun to venture around the city at night with a guide that left you very entertained and was also full of so much information.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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