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Piazza delle Erbe is the old market square in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Verona. During Roman times, it was the location of the forum.
Column
We entered the square from the south where we passed a column dating back to the 14th century. It has reliefs of the Virgin Mary along with Saints Zeno, Christopher, and Peter.
Piazza delle Erbe
In the center of Piazza delle Erbe were several market stalls selling everything from fruit to clothing and souvenirs. There’s also a fountain built in 1368 under Cansignorio della Scala with a Roman sculpture on top. The sculpture dates to 380 AD. We didn’t get a glimpse of the capitello, a 13th century ceremonial capital where oaths were taken, because it was surrounded by market stalls.
Lamberti Tower
There are a few notable buildings surrounding the square. The most prominent is the Lamberti Tower, which is an 84 meter high tower. Construction started in 1172.
Domus Mercatorum
Directly across from the tower is the Domus Mercatorum, also known as the Merchants House (Casa dei Mercanti). Originally built in 1210 out of wood, the structure once housed the merchant’s guild. It was rebuilt out of stone in 1301 by Alberto I della Scala and is now the home of the People’s Bank of Verona (Banca Popolare di Verona).
Palazzo Maffei
On the north end of the square is the Palazzo Maffei. This palace was built between 1469 and 1668 and is topped by statues of six ancient gods. Directly in front of the palace is a column crowned by the Lion of Saint Mark, which is a symbol of Venetian rule.
Gardello Tower
To the left of Palazzo Maffei is the Gardello Tower (Torre del Gardello), which was restored by Cansignoro della Scala in 1363. A bell was placed in the tower in 1370. It rang every hour and is considered the city’s first public clock. The bell is now kept in the Castelvecchio Museum (Museo di Castelvecchio).
Case dei Mazzanti
Finally, on the east side of the square is the Case dei Mazzanti, a group of frescoed houses dating back to the Middle Ages. They have been owned by the most powerful noble families in the city, including the della Scala clan and their rivals, the Gonzaga family of Mantua. In 1527, the Gonzaga family sold the homes to the Mazzanti family from whom the buildings took their name.
One important event that took place at the Case dei Mazzanti was the assassination of Mastino I della Scala by a member of the aristocratic class opposed to Scaliger rule. Mastino was the Lord of Verona from 1260 to his death in 1277 and the founder of the House of Scaliger.
Outdoor Seating
If you’re looking for a great place to sit outdoors and have a coffee or a meal, the east side of Piazza delle Erbe is lined with several different cafés and restaurants.
