History of Verona

The history of Verona traces its origins from the foundation of the first settlement on San Pietro hill, probably dating back to the Neolithic period, to the present day: the evidence of such an ancient and rich history can be seen in the landmarks, in the streets and squares, even underground, where the ruins and artifacts of ancient prehistoric and particularly Roman civilizations emerge. It was especially during Roman rule that Verona prospered to become one of the most important cities in northern Italy, a status it maintained even after the fall of the Roman Empire, when the city was repeatedly elevated to capital of Roman-Barbarian kingdoms.

In the Late Middle Ages it became a Free Commune, often ravaged by bloody struggles between the Guelph and Ghibelline families: the former headed by the Sambonifacio, the latter by the Montecchi at first, and then by the Scaligeri; the latter were the main protagonists of Veronese history for two centuries, and it was under their leadership that a smooth transition from Commune to Lordship took place. In 1388 the Scaliger city lost its independence to end up being subjugated first by the Visconti, and then by the Carraresi; however, as early as 1405 the devotion of Verona to Venice took place, which administered the city until its fall in 1797, a moment from which French and Austrian rule followed. Verona became part of the newly formed Kingdom of Italy only in 1866, following the Third Italian War of Independence.