Verona, a city where romance seems to float in the very air. And the most romantic spot here is, of course, the Courtyard of Juliet. That is exactly where we headed, filled with anticipation, eager to finally see the legendary balcony with our own eyes.
A lively crowd in the courtyard
There was a line at the entrance. A real, living one, with no tickets, admission fees, or turnstiles. Fortunately, it moved quickly, and after just about 15 minutes we were standing in the courtyard under the open sky. And there it was, the famous balcony! One almost expects to hear from above at any moment: "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?" The atmosphere is simply incredible: historic walls, ivy tendrils, couples in love gazing dreamily upward... In front of the bronze statue of Juliet, a crowd had gathered, as always. People were lining up to touch Juliet's right breast, since legend has it that doing so will bring true love . We decided to skip that ritual, though. It was simply too crowded, a complete swirl of people. And honestly, in a crush like that, a little of the magic of the moment gets lost.
The balcony is more myth than historical reality
And then there is the famous wall, a kind of "wall of love." Officially, writing on it is prohibited, as signs posted everywhere make clear. Yet the walls are covered with declarations of love: names, hearts, eternal vows. People write with markers and pens or stick small notes to the surface. Forbidden as it may be, these colorful traces give the courtyard a special vitality, as if lovers from all over the world had left their stories here.
Worth noting: the balcony itself is more myth than historical reality. The house dates back to the 13th century and did indeed belong to the Cappello family (the name closely resembles Shakespeare's fictional "Capulet"), but the balcony was not added until the 20th century, specifically for the many romantic visitors. When Shakespeare wrote his tragedy, he most likely did not have this particular house in mind. He never visited Verona.
A visit to Juliet's house is an absolute must
But who cares about any of that when the heart beats a little faster and the air seems to carry the scent of hope and love? For anyone visiting Verona , a stop at Juliet's house is an absolute must. Even if there is a bit of a wait. Even if everything feels slightly fairy-tale-like. Where, if not here, should one believe in miracles?
A look inside: experiencing the Casa di Giulietta from within
What many visitors do not know is that the courtyard and its famous balcony are not the only things to explore. The house itself is also open to visitors. Inside, a small museum awaits, with authentically furnished rooms, furniture from the Renaissance period , and props from various film adaptations of "Romeo and Juliet." The bedroom featuring Juliet's supposed wedding bed is particularly striking. From the first floor, visitors can step out onto the balcony themselves, a magical moment, especially for those who want to experience their own small Shakespeare scene. Admission to the house is not free, but the visit is well worth it, particularly for those looking to escape the bustle of the courtyard for a moment.
How to get to the Casa di Giulietta:
Juliet's house is located right in the heart of Verona, at Via Cappello 23. For those already strolling through the historic center, it is easy to find: just head toward the Piazza delle Erbe and you are almost there. Street musicians and tour groups often gather near the entrance, so it is hard to miss. Those traveling by public transit should take the bus to the Via Diaz or Porta Leoni stop and then walk a few minutes through Verona's charming narrow lanes.