Letters to Juliet, 2023
Travel
Verona— the setting of Romeo and Juliet, as famous as Shakespeare’s story itself. I’d argue it is much more than that. Many don't know, that Shakespeare never even visited Verona in his lifetime, it was an ordinary town where an extraordinary story takes place. The story went viral mostly after the American film ‘ Romeo and Juliet’ was made in 1908 as did Verona.
From an ordinary (hardly) Roman town to the gem of tourism, the city was restored. Although the town has an iconic structure, a Roman amphitheater built in 30 AD, now used for play and opera performances, Juliet’s house (La Casa di Giulietta) is the most visited building in Verona, where the Dal Cappello (a name similar to the Italian version’s Cappelletti) family probably lived since the 13th century. The medieval mansion, restored aesthetically by Antonio Avena in the early 20th Century revealed exposed brick work, a gothic-style portal, and a staircase that connects to the various parts of the house including the Juliet’s Balcony. Believe it or not, the popular balcony was added later to match the narrative in the 1920s from the marble rubble of the house. The project was a huge success, visitors didn't care how authentic the balcony was, they related it to the fantasy of Juliet standing on the balcony to call her Romeo. Now you can too stand on the same balcony and get a photo clicked to the least if not call for your Romeo or Juliet.
https://skift.com/2013/05/18/verona-considers-charging-tourists-to-see-romeo-and-juliets-famous-balcony/
The whole experience is sold for only a €17 entry fee and an online slot booking. The halls of the house have extravagant displays of the Renaissance costumes that the actors from the film wore. The party hall/ ballroom with a fireplace and the bedroom with a huge white bed are all decorated as if the set of the play.
Though the most exciting room would be the attic for the visitors, A room dedicated to ‘Letters to Juliet’. There's one red mailbox where you can post a letter to Juliet. You either have planned ahead like me and have written a letter already, ready to post or you could use the computers installed in the attic and literally email your words to Juliet. Or you could buy a pretty piece of paper and pen and an envelope, of course, from the gift shop and then post the letter the traditional way. The dreamy custom of leaving letters for Juliet inspired the Hollywood movie Letters to Juliet [2010]. If you are lucky enough, you might get a reply from Juliet's secretaries— the volunteers—strangers, who might give you another perspective on love. This detail of this journey includes you in the story, you are not just an outsider/tourist anymore, you get to be a part of the narrative, and you are one of the people who get to interact with the concept of perfect love.
The blog isn't about Shakespeare's tragedy but the realization of it through architecture, design, and services. Even though everything about Juliet's story is fiction, including herself, it's the emotions that draw the people toward Verona urged by their hopeless romantic hearts. Visitors spend time and money at the place where the story comes together regardless of their belief in love. I think that's a win for Verona !
I was always curious about the phrase ‘Architecture is a backdrop to life’. As a student I never liked the photos I took of the monuments that had people in them, now as a grown person I know, the people maketh the monument. The 13th century-unnoticed mansion has become the epitome of love, the most desired emotion of our existence.
Apart from Romeo Juliet's world, there are several other spots to visit. Verona Arena, Castel san pietro, Piazza delle erbe, Ponte pietra, Cattedrale di Santa Maria Matricolare, GIusti garden etc.
My favorite was Castel san pietro. It's a small hike toward the top of the mountain for a view of the whole of Verona !
https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g187871-d593018-Reviews-Piazzale_Castel_San_Pietro-Verona_Province_of_Verona_Veneto.html
Thank you for reading, let me know if you liked this one. If you have any sugegtions or comments do write to me, emails are prefered over letters in this case :D
See you soon for the next one !
