Verona across the river: the garden, the bridge and the theatre the centre loop skips
A Roman bridge rebuilt from its own stone, a theatre two millennia old, a viewpoint on the site of an Austrian barracks and a Renaissance garden — all on one side of the river.
- Ponte Pietra
- A Roman bridge
- Roman Theatre
- 1st century BC, €4.50
- Castel San Pietro
- A viewpoint, funicular €2 (return €3.20)
The loop from the Arena to Castelvecchio crosses the river at Ponte Pietra, looks in at the Roman Theatre and turns back rather than continuing along the right bank. Anyone who carries on that way finds a viewpoint high above the city, a Renaissance garden and a theatre two millennia old, all of which rarely fit into a single day.
A bridge rebuilt from its own remains
Ponte Pietra is the oldest bridge in Verona, with Roman arches. The German army blew it up in 1945 as it retreated, and after the war the stone was pulled back out of the river and the bridge rebuilt by 1957. Crossing it is free. From the middle you see the river's loop and the centre beyond it.
Not dug out until the 19th century
The 1st-century BC theatre lay buried under houses for centuries, until excavation began in the 19th century. An Archaeological Museum now stands beside it, housed in a former monastery on the hill above the stage. Entry is €4.50. In summer the theatre still stages performances, far less known than those at the Arena.
A barracks on an older fortification
The hill above the theatre held older fortifications, but the current building is a 19th-century Austrian barracks, from when Verona was part of the Habsburg Quadrilateral of fortresses. The funicular to the top reopened in 2017, after years shut. The viewpoint itself is free. Only the ride is charged, €2 (return €3.20). From here the whole centre and the river's loop show at once, from a different angle than from Torre dei Lamberti.
A garden as old as the Renaissance
The Giusti family laid out the garden in the late 16th century. Terraces climb to an artificial grotto at the top of the hill, beside a cypress avenue. Entry is €11. In summer it is shade that feels welcome after a loop through the hot centre.
Before you go
Short answers to what people ask most before setting out.
Why doesn't the centre loop cover this side of the river?
Because the one-day plan crosses Ponte Pietra only as far as the theatre and turns back; the rest of the right bank needs a second day.
Which of these four places is free?
Crossing Ponte Pietra and the Castel San Pietro viewpoint itself — only the funicular ride up to it is charged.
How long do all four take?
Half a day, going in order from the bridge to the theatre, the funicular and the garden, without rushing.
Ready for Verona?
Where to next
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How well does Verona suit you?
→Six questions: a score for this place and others like it.
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