Verona in love

Verona was a Roman city with its amphitheatre, the Arena, its Roman Theatre and the city gates. The UNESCO World Heritage site designation in 2000 also recognised the rich history that followed, exemplified in the Medieval Stone Bridge, Castel Vecchio and the Romanesque and Gothic churches. The impact of the Renaissance is seen in the palaces of the Veronese aristocracy designed by the great Veronese architect Michele Sammicheli.

The Giulietta & Romeo Half Marathon will take place in this setting and at the time of the Valentine’s Day festival, on 13 February, when the city will be illuminated in red in honour of Love celebrated by the Verona in Love event.

The last edition of the Giulietta & Romeo Half Marathon took place on 13 June 2021, when 3500 runners finally laced up their shoes to participate in the first Italian Federation ‘Gold Label’ half marathon of 2021 to be staged on Italian roads. It marked the return to mass events after the darkest period of the Covid 19 pandemic.

The return to the usual February date will bring thousands of people to travel to Verona for the very fast course which passes through the historic centre twice. Runners get a good look at the Arena which, at 1991 years, is the world’s oldest amphitheatre still in use. The course takes in the Church of San Fermo Maggiore and then crosses the Piazza delle Erbe and skirts the Basilica of Sant’Anastasia and the Church of Sant’Eufemia.

The racing efforts end with the majestic Castelvecchio and the monumental Porta Palio before the finish line inside the Bentegodi Stadium.

Alongside the Giulietta & Romeo Half Marathon, the Avesani Monument Run 10km offers those who love to run or walk a chance to have fun and participate in the event while covering fewer kilometres.

Veronese cuisine is characterized by the richness and variety of the products of its land and by the wine production. Since the days of ancient Rome the noble families of Verona had achieved fame for the lunches offered during luxurious receptions. Over the centuries, Veronese cuisine has risen to an authentic art, devising exquisite dishes with flair and imagination even with the simplest products.

Lake Garda lies only a stone’s throw away from Verona. It is the largest Italian lake, connecting Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige. The Veronese side of Lake Garda has typical Mediterranean vegetation such as olive trees, vines, and agaves, and enjoys particularly mild winters. Lake Garda offers numerous cultural, sporting and gastronomic activities and several theme parks.