Piazza delle Erbe to Piazza dei Signori: What to See in Verona
Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori sit at the core of Verona. Each square shows a different side of the city. One reflects daily life and trade. The other focuses on power and politics. This short walk connects both.
Piazza delle Erbe, the Ancient Heart of Verona
Piazza delle Erbe, or the “Square of the Herbs”, is Verona’s oldest square. It still works as one of the busiest areas in the city.
The Roman Roots
Two thousand years ago, this site formed the Roman Forum. The city’s main streets, the cardo and decumanus, crossed here. People gathered for public life, trade and chariot races.
The square looks different today. It has a rhomboidal shape instead of the original rectangle. In Roman times, temples and public buildings surrounded the space.
You can still see this past. Head into the cellars of nearby restaurants. About three metres underground, you will find the foundations of a Roman temple, the curia and sections of original paved streets.
Key Monuments to Discover
Photo by Alessandro Carrarini
The Fountain of Madonna Verona stands at the centre of the square. Cansignorio della Scala built it in 1368. The statue on top dates back to 380 AD. Builders later added medieval arms and a head.
La Berlina dates to the 13th century. City officials used it for ceremonies. Mayors took their oaths here. It also held standard measurement tools. You can still see engraved lengths, carved brick shapes and a measuring chain.
The Mazzanti Houses bring colour to the square. The della Scala family first owned them. After an ambush, they moved to a safer residence. The Mazzanti family later bought the buildings. They hired Alberto Cavalli, a pupil of Giulio Romano, to paint the façades. The frescoes show allegories such as ignorance, envy and good government. These paintings helped give Verona the name “Urbs picta”, the painted city.
Palazzo Maffei dominates the northwestern side. Statues of Jupiter, Venus and Apollo line its rooftop. Next to it stands the Gardello Tower. It dates to the 14th century and holds one of the oldest public clocks in Italy.
The Domus Mercatorum sits on the southwestern side. This crenellated brick building housed the merchants’ guild. Alberto I della Scala rebuilt it for the Wool Guild.
At one end of the square, the Venetian Column displays the Lion of St Mark. It marks Verona’s period under Venetian rule. Just beyond it, you will find the narrow buildings of the 15th century Jewish Ghetto.
The Local Experience
Take your time in Piazza delle Erbe. Walk through the market stalls and explore the square at your own pace. Vendors now sell local produce and souvenirs.
Stop for an aperitivo at one of the cafés. Try a local Spritz or a glass of Durello wine.
Look for the bronze statue of Berto Barbarani. Nearby, a monument honours the 29 civilians killed during an Austrian bombing in World War I.
Exploring the Heart of Verona in One Walk
Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori offer a clear way to understand Verona in a short walk. You move from Roman foundations and market life to political power and historic palaces, with every step adding context to the city’s story.
Take your time, explore the details, and stop along the way to experience the atmosphere of each square. If you are planning your trip, consider adding this route early in your itinerary and pairing it with nearby stops like local cafés or traditional osterias to make the most of your time in Verona.
If you are planning a wider journey through Italy, a structured itinerary can help you see more without the stress of organising each step.
