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Verona
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Football Italia City Guide
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| Verona has a lot more to it than romantic legends. This beautiful city in the Veneto region combines an exotic atmosphere reminiscent of nearby Venice, with the ancient allure of a Roman past very much evident. The city is also home to two clubs who have made a real name for themselves in recent history. Hellas Verona - now in Serie B - won Lo Scudetto in 1985, while Chievo Verona continue to stun the Serie A world. |
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 Stadio: Marc’Antonio Bentegodi
The Marc’Antonio Bentegodi Stadium, named after a 19th Century Veronese politician and sports lover, was built in 1963. With a capacity of 39,211, it’s home to both the city’s teams, whose hardcore fans share the Curva Sud - much to the annoyance of the Chievo supporters. When Verona meet Chievo it is the latter who are moved to the Curva Nord.
The stadium, covered in all but the lowest of the three tiers, is about a kilometre west of the city centre. It’s easy enough to walk to, but even easier to hop on a bus. Numbers 11, 12 and 13 all go to the ground from the centre, stopping at Piazza Bra and the Porta Nuova main railway station. |
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 Match Tickets
The ticket offices are outside the stadium. The one on the west side, near the players’ entrance, sells tickets for the Tribuna at about 25-35 Euros. The east stand opposite is cheaper, about half the price, but no chance of bumping into VIPs at half time. Chievo has 10,000 season ticket holders so there is no problem getting a ticket on match day. Visiting fans are in the Curva Nord, while most of the Chievo singing goes on in the Curva Sud.
Online credit card ticket sales are available from the team website at www.chievoverona.it
NB: To pick up pre-booked tickets before the match, go to counter 6 on the west side. You will need the credit card holder’s ID as well as the confirmation email.
Football Italia Ticket Info |
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 Out & About
> The Roman Arena in Piazza Bra is Verona’s landmark and not to be missed. In the summer it hosts a world famous opera season as well as various events and exhibitions throughout the year. You can also just go in for a look around.
> Central Verona is very picturesque, full of lanes and alleys. The main square - straight up Via Mazzini from Piazza Bra - is Piazza delle Erbe, home to a fruit and vegetable market. Look out for the Arco della Costa and its suspended whalebone.
> For a bird’s-eye view of the city go up the Torre dei Lamberti just off Piazza delle Erbe. Open 9.30am-7pm every day except Monday. Cost: 1.55 Euros to walk up or 2.07 Euros to take the lift.
> If you’re feeling unlucky in love, throw a coin into the Well of Love - Pozzo dell’amore - just off Corso S. Anastasia, in Vicolo San Marco del Foro. Locals believe in its power.
> The Casa di Giulietta in Via Cappello 23 was where Shakespeare’s famous heroine supposedly lived. A medieval home has been recreated here, even though Juliet’s balcony was added at a later date. Graffiti of the lovers of the world seems to be actively encouraged.
> Walk over the River at Ponte Pietra and up to the Roman theatre. If you carry on up the hill behind the theatre, towards the Austrian Castel San Pietro and the Piazzale del Colle, you’ll be rewarded with great views over the city.
> Lake Garda is easily accessible from Verona. The town of Riva del Garda, popular for water sports, is one of Verona’s liveliest parts. Buses from the station - near the Porta Nuova train station- are frequent. Ferries and hydrofoils operate over the lake all year round.
> Italy’s number one theme park, Gardaland, is on the Verona side of Lake Garda. If you feel up to a day of exhilaration and fun, take a local train from Verona to the Peschiera del Garda station, from where a free non-stop bus service covers the journey to the park.
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Food & Drink
Verona is most famous for Pan’doro. Literally ‘bread of gold,’ this large, light, plain cake is eaten mainly at Christmas and made the fortune of the Campedelli family. Chievo’s President, Luca Campedelli continues to head Paluani, the pan’doro manufacturer and sponsor of Chievo. Other local delights are the Pastissada, which is a mixture of onions and horsemeat, and the Pearà - a mixed meat casserole.
The Veneto region is well known for its wines, both white and red. Crisp Soave and Custoza are among the better whites, while the reds include Bardolino and Valpolicella. The sweet, strawberry flavoured red Fragolino is another local speciality often drunk in the afternoons. Mulled wine is also popular during the chilly winter months and a welcome half-time treat at the Bentegodi’s bars.
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Restaurants
Several centuries ago Verona was famed for its hundred hostelries. Today only a few of the originals remain. The tradition of wine drinking, however, lives on.
> Antica Bottega del Vino (Via Scudo di Francia 3, Tel: 0039-045-8004535). Frescoed walls lined with bottles and a great atmosphere in this one-time meeting place of local poets. The menu includes Veronese specialities such as Pastissada and Pearà. Just off Via Mazzini, the main pedestrian road.
> Ristorante Dodici Apostoli (Corticella San Marco 3, Tel: 0039-045-596999). Another of Verona’s oldest hostelries, this was where the merchants met. Once again traditional cuisine and frescoes. Visit the wine cellar downstairs, where the wine is stored among ancient Roman walls. Near Piazza delle Erbe.
> Osteria al Duomo (Via Duomo 7, Tel: 0039-045-8004505). This old hostelry near the cathedral is full of character and is where one of Chievo’s many fan clubs - the Al Duomo group - now meets. Closed Sundays.
> Re Teodorico (Piazzale Castel San Pietro, Tel: 0039-045-8349990). Top quality food, candlelight and wonderful views over Verona at a price.
> Oreste - Cantina dal Zovo (Vicolo S. Marco in Foro 7 just off Corso S. Anastasia). Well-stocked wine cellar leaves little space to move. Picturesque and handy for a quick glass at the counter before going to challenge fate and throw your Euros into the Well of Love.
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Accomodation
> Hotel Bologna (Piazzetta Scalette Rubiani 3, Tel: 0039-045-8006830). Great position just off Piazza Bra for this recently restored hotel in a 13th Century building.
> Hotel Giulietta e Romeo (Viale Tre Marchetti 3, Tel: 0039-045-8003554). Another centrally located hotel, just behind the Arena. Good for bringing out the romantic in you.
> Hotel Aurora (Piazza delle Erbe, Tel: 0039-045-594717). Small and cosy hotel in Verona’s main square, Piazza delle Erbe.
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Getting there...
British Airways flies from Gatwick to Verona’s Villafranca airport. A special bus runs every 20 minutes between the city’s main railway station and the airport - 3.62 Euros each way.
Otherwise go to www.ryanair.com for cheap flights to Brescia Montichiari airport, from Stansted. Buses connect all Ryanair flights with Verona bus station.
Check the Verona and Brescia airports shared site www.aeroportoverona.it
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Local lingo
Te ghe resòn! - You’re right!
Sa eto dito? - What did you say?
Un goto de vin! - A small glass of wine!
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Compiled by: Sarah Lane
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