Juliet’s House, Verona

Some people appear to favour fiction over reality when it comes to romantic relationships. The mansion in Verona that has been promoted as Juliet’s House is, in reality, just a tourist trap. The house has nothing to do with the plot, and Shakespeare’s Juliet was not based on a real person. Nonetheless, there are constantly throngs of individuals from all over the world visiting Italy in an attempt to realise their dreams.

Quick Facts

• Name: Juliet’s House
• Location: Via Cappello, 23, 37121 Verona VR, Italy
  
• Built 1300s
• Type of attraction: House
• Ticket price: From $8

LOCATION

Juliet’s House is located in the old city center of Verona, in Via Capello, around the corner from Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori.

It is one of the top 3 attractions and landmarks of Verona today and it attracts thousands of tourists every year.

HISTORY

Romeo and Juliet” is set in Verona, Italy, and Shakespeare describes houses and squares that can be recognized. Legend and fact collided to identify the residence of the heroine in Verona, which became a romantic pilgrimage site.

The Cappello family owned the palazzo at Via Cappello 23 in the 13th century. Cappelletti, a wealthy Veronese family associated with the Capulets from Shakespeare’s tragedy, is another name for them.

They lived there until at least until Dante’s tenure in Verona. Even today, you can still see an embroidered hat (called “cappello” in Italian) over an open key over the archway to Juliet’s house courtyard.

The Montagues (“Montecchi” in Italian) were Cappelletti’s arch-enemies and another prominent Verona merchant family. Although they waged conflicts for the city’s sovereignty, they didn’t wage them against the Capulets, as Shakespeare had presented in his famous play. However, both families are featured in Dante’s “The Divine Comedy” because they played a significant role in the city’s existence.

Although Juliet’s House was built in the Middle Ages, not everything in it is original to that time period. One of the few surviving elements of this 13th-century buildings is the entrance tower The rest of the courtyard’s structures have been renovated throughout time.

The building was a hotel during the 17th-19th century and even Charles Dickens mentioned this in his “Pictures from Italy”.

It was only in the 20th century, that a famous balcony was erected to Juliet’s House, making it look like it does today.

A bronze statue of Juliet stands in the middle of the courtyard. According to Shakespeare’s play, the Montagues’ leader promised the Capulets that he would make a statue of their daughter, however, Nereo Costantini, an Italian artist, created it only in 1972.

According to folklore belief, rubbing or holding Juliet’s right breast will bring you good luck in love. It was transported to a museum in Verona in 2014 after the statue and notably, its breast was damaged. What tourists are still rubbing today is only a replica.

Juliet’s House has a practice of leaving love messages for her. It is possible to leave a message on the courtyard’s walls or to write a message on paper and adhere it to the wall, resulting in a love letter-covered courtyard. These letters are being answered on Juliet’s behalf by an official Juliet’s Club representative. “Letters to Juliet,” a film based on this custom, was released in 2010. Juliet can also be contacted from abroad or at the House, where post boxes are available.

There is an option for you to enter the House and ascend to Romeo and Juliet’s renowned balcony, where they made their vows of eternal love.

HOW TO GET TO THE JULIET’S HOUSE?

The location of Juliet’s House is very central and cannot be missed, but if you are coming from other areas, the bus station at P.za Viviani 10 is the best place to arrive closest to the house. Buses number 70, 96, and 97 will get you there.

• The balcony where Juliet stood (in the play) is not a part of the original detailing of the structure
• Verona bought the house from the Capello family in 1905.
• The house is vacant except for Juliet’s bed.

Read more: Interesting facts about Juliet’s House