Verona Is Much Embellished By Several Palazzi
Built By Palladio, Which Form A Curious Contrast With The Other Buildings
And Churches Which Are In The Gothic Style.
Verona can boast among its
antiquities of three triumphal arches, the first, Porta de' Bursari,
erected in the year 252 in the reign of the Emperor Gallienus; the second,
called Porta del Foro; and the third, built by Vitruvius himself, in
honour of the family Gavia.
The churches here are richly ornamented and the Palazzo del Consiglio has
many fine marble and bronze statues. In this city also are the tombs and
monuments of the Scala family, who were at one time Sovereigns of Verona.
They are in the Gothic style and of curious execution. The Cathedral has an
immense campanile (steeple), from which is a fine view of the surrounding
country, and the progressive risings of the Alps, the lower parts of which
lie close upon Verona. Beautiful villas and farmhouses abound in the
neighbourhood of this city. The favourite promenades are the Corso and
the Bra. On the Bra I saw a very brilliant display of carriages, and
some very pretty women in them. The theatre is by Palladio, is exquisitely
beautiful, and very tastefully fitted up. I assisted at the representation
of La Gazza Ladra, one of Rossini's best operas.
I should think Verona would be a very delightful sejour; everything is very
cheap; a fine country highly cultivated; a remarkably healthy climate; a
society which unites much urbanity and a love of amusement with a taste for
the fine arts and for the graver sciences, and a general appearance of
opulence and comfort.
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