If there is a house of Juliet, then there must be her grave. A stone sarcophagus on the territory of an ancient Franciscan monastery long ago took the place of the grave. This place is actively visited by tourists from all over the world.
Tomb of Juliet, photo by Paulina
The story of Romeo and Juliet is considered genuine. The works of writers of different times talk about the unhappy love of young couples. The story of Romeo and Juliet is considered genuine. Shakespeare wrote his tragedy in 1594-1595.
For many years, Shakespearean fans and thousands of couples in love have flocked to Verona from around the world. They come to lay flowers at the sad monument - the sarcophagus of red marble in the crypt of the monastery of San Francesco al Corso on Pontiere street. It is believed that lovers died here.
Skeptics say that the tomb of Juliet (Tomba di Giulietta) is a remake, created in 1937 to attract tourists to Verona. So whether it is or not is a moot point, but we went to the monastery to see firsthand the monument to eternal love. On the way to it, tourists are greeted by a simple sign: "Tomba di Giulietta".
In the monastery garden, photo by benito roveran
According to the description of Luigi da Porto, the tomb first stood in a stone crypt, which served as the tomb of the Cappelletti family. The pilgrimage to the monastery began after the release of the short story, in 1524. Interest in the tomb continued and renewed for centuries. The sarcophagus was transferred to the monastery garden, then an arched gallery was built over it.
In 1936, the American film Romeo and Juliet was released. The crypt of the Capuchin monastery served as nature for him. Antonio Avena, curator of the Verona museums, suggested moving the sarcophagus to the dungeon. After the release of the film, he counted on new flows of tourists.
Inside the tomb of Juliet, photo PiG sty
Here she is - the famous tomb. The marble sarcophagus is empty; Juliet is not in it. The crypt is picturesque: with low arches of rough masonry, Gothic windows and beautiful wrought-iron grilles enclosing the entrance. The tomb stands in the middle of an empty crypt. The edges of the sarcophagus are jagged - many souvenir hunters chipped pieces of marble from it.
Well in the yard, photo by Samantha Gass
We are escorted by a cozy green courtyard of the monastery, surrounded by arcades. Bas-reliefs are installed on the walls of the cloister - of course, with images of Shakespearean scenes. In the middle of the courtyard is a well. Coins are thrown there: for memory, or for happiness - to each his own. In the former monastery garden, near the arcade portico, stands a marble bust of William Shakespeare.
Bust of William Shakespeare, photo by JUMBOROIS
How to get there
Take bus 72 to the Via Dello Zappatore Fr. 2.
