Andrea Bertozzi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A false symbol of eternal love? Juliet’s balcony in Verona was not created until the 20th century.

Juliet’s House, one of the most romantic places on the map of Verona, is a medieval building located on Via Cappello, near Piazza delle Erbe. Although its association with the main character of Shakespeare’s drama is purely symbolic, and the famous Juliet balcony was only built in the 1930s, the building attracts crowds of tourists from all over the world as the heart of the story of the lovers’ tragic love.

The history of the building dates back to the 14th century, when it served as a residential tower. It was first mentioned in 1351, and for the following centuries it served as the inn “del Cappello”, owned by the heirs of Antonio Cappella. In the following centuries, the building was rebuilt several times, losing its medieval character – changes affected both the facade and the interior decoration. Its courtyard features a coat of arms with an image of a hat, which in the 18th and 19th centuries led to the building being mistaken for the home of the legendary Capulet family. Researchers, looking for sites associated with Shakespeare’s tragedy, linked the coat of arms to the name ‘Cappelletti’.

Juliet’s house in the 1970s. Public domain photo, via Wikimedia Commons

Balkon Julii w Weronie

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In 1905, the Municipality of Verona bought the building, and in 1939 Antonio Avena – the director of the city’s museums – remodelled the townhouse to give it a romantic atmosphere and to associate it with the setting of Shakespeare’s masterpiece. A major renovation was then carried out, adding architectural touches from different eras – stone portals, columns, Gothic coats of arms and Renaissance fireplaces. The most striking feature of the building became the courtyard and the Juliet balcony, which had just been created during the renovation of the late 1930s. Its base comes from a medieval slab found in the city’s collections, but the balustrade and side elements were specially added from Aves marble and stone. The construction was inspired by the hanging tombstones of Verona’s rulers of the Della Scala family – a treatment intended to emphasise the tragic fate of the lovers.

The courtyard at the end of the 19th century and today. Photo: Wikimedia Commons and Google Maps

After the Second World War, the popularity of the Juliet House increased rapidly, and the building was remodelled twice more. In 1973, a bronze statue of Juliet, made by Nereo Costantini and donated to the city by the Lions Club, was placed in the courtyard. It has become one of the most recognisable symbols of Verona. Touching her right breast is said to bring good luck in love. The interior of the museum is decorated in a style corresponding to the era of Shakespeare’s famous drama, with original frescoes from the 14th century and stylish furniture. Today, Juliet’s House is Verona’s most visited monument, attracting thousands of tourists every year. Lovers from all over the world leave love letters and padlocks on its walls as a symbol of eternal love. Although the building has no historical connection to the Capulet family, its magic and legend have made it one of the most beautiful places in the world dedicated to love.

Source: casadigiulietta.comune.verona.it, podrozepoeuropie. co .uk

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