Verona - Piazza delle Erbe

The central feature of the old town of Verona is the elongated Piazza delle Erbe, one of the most picturesque squares in Italy, on the site of the Roman forum (now a fruit and vegetable market). In the center of the square is the Berlina (16th century), a canopy borne on four columns, formerly used for the election of the Signori and the Podestà. To the north of it is the Market Fountain (1368), with the "Madonna Verona", an ancient marble statue (restored). At the north end of the square the Marble Column bears the lion of St Mark, the emblem of Venetian authority. At the northeast corner stands the Casa Mazzanti, originally built by the Scaligers; like many houses in the town, it is adorned with Renaissance frescoes. On the north side of the square is the Baroque Palazzzo Maffei (1668), and to the left of this the Torre del Gardello (1370). The Casa dei Mercanti at the corner of Via Pellicciai was rebuilt in 1878 in its original form (1301). Opposite rises the 84m/277ft high Torre del Lamberti, with a medieval bell, "El Rengo", used as a storm warning (lift to the top; fine view).