Treasures near the Colomba d’Oro: Verona’s theatres

Is there a place, near the Colomba d’Oro, where history meets art? More than one, actualy!
Verona’s theatres host opera, ballet, musicals, dramas, comedies and debates. The theaters of the City are part of its cultural and historical heritage, as well as a place for meeting and learning. But how many theaters are there in Verona?

The largest is located just a two-minute walk (less than 700 feet!) from the Colomba d’Oro (and therefore also a few steps from the Verona Arena): it is the Teatro Filarmonico, in Via Roma. It serves as the “winter headquarters” of the Fondazione Arena: it is here that, during the cold season, high-level operas and concerts take place. Its history dates back to the early eighteenth century, although the current structure – inaugurated in 1966 – is the result of several renovations. However, there is a part that still retains the original eighteenth-century structure: the beautiful Sala Maffeiana, the only portion of the original theater building that is still intact. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart himself performed here on January 5, 1770! The main hall of the Teatro Filarmonico is sumptuously presented with three tiers of finely decorated gold boxes, a balcony and a gallery, offering accommodation for 1200 spectators.

The Teatro Nuovo, the second theater in Verona, can be reached with a ten-minute walk from the Colomba d’Oro. Inaugurated in 1846, it saw a succession of great opera performances until the outbreak of World War II, when its structure was seriously damaged. Once restored and reopened, it focused mainly on drama performances, and today it is the main theater in Verona for theatrical performances other than musicals, both comic and dramatic. In 2005, the Teatro Nuovo was recognized as Teatro Stabile di Verona by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, and in 2015 it became Teatro Stabile del Veneto, thus earning the prestigious title of National Theater. The hall, which seats 650 people, is Italian-style, with two tiers of boxes, a balcony and a gallery.

In addition to the world famous Arena, which is an amphitheater and therefore has an elliptical shape (and in ancient Rome it had a similar function to that of a modern stadium), Verona also has the privilege of being enriched by a second open-air venue  still in use even though it dates back to ancient Rome: the Roman Theater, with a semicircular shape, with a frontal stage and seats in sloping steps. It stands on the banks of the Adige River in one of the most charming and photographed spots of the city, easily reachable with a walk of about twenty minutes or a comfortable bike ride, rented directly at the Colomba d’Oro. Dating back to the 1st century BC, it is one of the best preserved Roman theaters in northern Italy. Located at the foot of San Pietro hill, it offers a breathtaking view, and with its capacity of 1500 spectators it hosts theatrical performances and concerts and festivals that attract thousands of visitors every year. Among them, the performances of the “Estate Teatrale Veronese” festival, dedicated to William Shakespeare, which have been held here since 1948, stand out.

Finally, just 500 meters (1600 ft) from the four-star hotel closest to the Verona Arena, there’s another theater, the Ristori. Opened in 1837, it has long been a point of reference for the city, hosting prose, operetta, ballet and even puppet shows. Closed in 1983 and then reopened only in 2012 thanks to a major renovation that lasted 10 years, it boasts a particular flexibility of the stage space: thanks to a system of five mobile platforms, the stage can be transformed according to needs, creating an orchestra pit, a stepped layout or even a large ballroom also suitable for gala dinners. With a capacity of 500 spectators, the Teatro Ristori is today an excellent location for concerts and ballets, but also for conferences and congress meetings, as well as for film screenings.

Whether under the stars or in an elegant historic hall, the theaters of Verona always provide emotions. After an evening of culture, music or dance, or perhaps a day of shopping in the heart of the city, treat yourself to maximum relaxation in the luxury rooms of the Colomba d’Oro. We are waiting for you!