Of the many legends and stories about love, one of the most famous is the tale of Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet written by William Shakespeare. Their romance takes place in Verona, Italy in the 13th century.
The Piazza Bra is an area where lovers strolled in days of old as much as today.
Imagine those lovers sitting in the Arena or weaving in and out of the enormous columns day-dreaming of each other.
Perhaps they walked the fortified walls of the city where they were hidden from view.
Strolling along the riverside has long been a popular pastime for lovers too with beautiful views of the Alps far off in the distance.
Being in such an enchanting setting, we decided to visit Giulietta’s (Juliet’s) home. Upon our arrival walls of graffiti from lovers pledging their affections to one another greeted us.
Surprisingly, other people chose to express their love with wads of gum. Romantic? I thinketh not.
These plaques inform about the history of the home that now houses The Juliet Museum.
Directly above the plaques is the famous balcony. From the courtyard below this balcony is where Romeo spoke these memorable words.
“But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”
“See, how she leans her cheek upon her hand!
O that I were a glove upon that hand,
That I might touch that cheek!”
~ Romeo longs for her as he watches her at her window.
A bronze statue of Juliet stands in a quiet corner of the courtyard garden.
Adjacent to the statue is an iron gate bearing locks, thousands of locks, with the initials of lovers who have symbolically locked their love together.
As dusk falls on Verona, you can feel the romance of this beautiful city.
“My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.” (Juliet to Romeo)
And as night fell, we made our way to a beautiful meal in a cozy and romantic osteria.
“Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.” (Juliet’s call to Romeo)
Our first course was Pasticcio con Asparagi Freschi, Funghi Porcini e Monte Veronese (Fine layers of pasta with fresh asparagus, porcini mushrooms and Monet Veronese cheese. Served hot. The pasticcio is so rich that you almost need to share it.
My entrée was a succulent platter of lamb with a side of vegetables.
Dessert was a rich and sexy chocolate treat called Salami. A mixture of rich dark chocolate, almonds, pistachios and amaretti (a crispy biscuit) laced with amaretto liqueur. It is sliced into thick rounds and just before serving it is decorated with dark chocolate sauce.
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.” (Juliet speaks to the night)
Happy Valentines Day!
