House Juliet and balcony in Verona

History of Unhappy Love Romeo and Juliet &# 8211; magnet, which Each year attracts in Verona Crowds of tourists. Urban authorities skillfully used it for the manufacture of an attraction dedicated to the history of the in love with the 30s of the last century.

Located in the heart historical old town, House Juliet is considered the residence of the ancestors of the Kapulent family. It even has a balcony from which a woman could pronounce a monologue.

Daily in the courtyard in front of the building gather countless crowds of tourists trying to get closer to the statue, touching which traditionally Bring them to happiness in heart matters.

Fiction or reality?

If the plot "Romeo and Juliet" was written exclusively in Shakespeare’s head, we could be almost sure that the drama was only a literary fiction. After all, an English poet Never been to Verona (at least nothing is known about her) and knew it only by imagination.

However, it is known that the story of this particular couple in love was written long before him. The English poet was probably inspired by the work of his compatriot Arthur Brook, but this motive appeared in Italian literature. One example is the short story of Gerardo Beldarie from 1553 with a familiar name "Unhappy love Julia and Romeo".

So there is at least some likelihood that Italian writers relied on oral reports on real events, transmitted from generation to generation.

More legitarious question: Could the juliet house really belong to the ancestors of the kapulenti family? Unfortunately, despite the fact that from time immemorial, he was associated with the family of an unfortunate woman in love, the chances of it are small. In fact, the only indication that he originally belonged to the family Dal Capello, and the surname sounds like cabins. All the rest &# 8211; Revaluation aimed at attracting tourists.

It seems to us that the story of the alleged grave of Juliet is more convincing, although it has some gaps.

House Juliet: Story Building

House Juliet &# 8211; this is Gothic residence of the 13th century, Located a few steps from the main square of the city, Piazza Delle Erbe. The building was part of a larger complex of buildings owned by the Dal Capello family. Initially, he had a shape, more similar to a defensive structure, and Warred by a high tower. Entrance from the courtyard to which the arched gate is conducted (which are preserved their family coat of arms depicting a hat).

In 1667, the Dal Capello family sold the rights to the residence, and the new owner turned her to the hotel. In the next century, the building was repeatedly rebuilt, losing its medieval character &# 8211; Changes touched both the facade and its internal design.

The institution has gained popularity at the turn of the XVIII and XIX centuries, when the style of travel "Grand Tour" became popular among the European intelligentsia. For example, Charles Dickens visited him, Even devoting him a place in his notes.

In 1905, the city acquired the rights to construction. Idea turn it into a tourist attraction belonged to Antonio Avenue, director of urban museums, respected architect, but, above all, a seer. After the premiere in 1936 Hollywood Movie Romeo and Juliet, who was not even shot in Verona, he Began the project to restore the hotel with its gothic characteristics. The facade received arcade windows, a portal, characteristic of that period, and a modern famous balcony.

The purpose of the architect was not to recreate the initial type of building, but to create a place that He would inspire newbies with a romantic atmosphere &# 8211; This is how the juliet house was created, probably the most photographed object in the city.

As His popularity Rosla, he was rebuilt twice &# 8211; Once in the early 1970s and the last time in the late 1990s.

Balcony juliet and the most crowded yard Verona

This hit has become Installation of balcony, overlooking the courtyard, which was originally not even. Avna had no problems with a search for an authentic gothic balcony (as well as other architectural elements), because once earlier, when strengthening the shores of Adige, many historical buildings were demolished, and in their ruins it was possible to freely choose.

Balcony today is Popular tourist object. You can even get up on it and take a picture of yourself (this is the last point of the museum excursion).

Advice. Every day under the balcony Crowds of tourists are going. If you do not care about the museum, and you just want to take a picture, it is better to come in the morning or later when the place is much freer.

Statue of Juliet

The second attraction of the yard &# 8211; Bronze statue with which there is a popular, although not really a very romantic tradition. Every day numerous tourists Try to approach To the sculpture depicting the main character of the drama, wanting … grab her for the right breasts, which, according to a superstition, should bring them Welfare in heart matters.

The original statue was made in 1972 by Veronian sculptor Narero Konstantini. However, his work is so "exploited", which was decided transfer it to the museum and replace it with an exact copy.

Visiting Juliet’s house

Inside the house, Juliet is located Small museum. In addition to the famous balcony, there are about ten halls on different floors to visit with small thematic exhibitions. All rooms are decorated in the style of the aristocratic mansion of the 14th century. One of the most interesting decor elements are fireplaces. In the representative premises, we see a fireplace with a coat of arms depicting a hat that is associated with the Capello family.

Selected exhibits and sights of the museum:

• small room, Similar to the bedroom, where there is a bed from a set created for the film Romeo and Juliet director Franco Dzefirelli in 1968. Although the furniture was created in the Renaissance style, the famous interior designer Lorenzo Montjardino answered its appearance;
• Original suits Romeo and Juliet from Dzeffirelli film;
• Historical publications Shakespeare drama;
• Original bronze statue standing in the yard;
• Pictures of artists of the era of romanticism of the XIX century (Gaetano Criechi and Angelo Dall&# 8217; Oka Bianca from Verona), depicting three scenes from the drama: a kiss, farewell and death;
• Wall frescoes, taken from other objects of Verona (XIII-XVII century);
• Multimedia screens to send letters Juliet;
• A small exhibition of ceramics (including: Terracotta tiles of the middle of the 15th century for decorating balustrade and windows, Maitolians of the 16th century and Angobic terracotta vessels 17th century).

The museum is so small that it can Be away in just 30 minutes. Entry cost 6 euros. [As of 2020] The owners of the tourist map Veronacard can visit the juliet house for free.

And is it worth entering inside for such a fee? If the time goes, and we do not care what we are photographing on the balcony, then there is probably no (if only the plot of Shakespeare Drama is not particularly close to us). Other situations with people with Veronacard, which can literally look inside.