Museums not to miss when in Verona, so close to the Hotel Colomba d’Oro

Verona, a city with a glorious past, has always played a central role in promoting Italy’s cultural heritage. Born as a bulwark of resistance against invasions, then set of Shakespeare’s plays, the City of the Colomba d’Oro has earned the reputation of one of the main cultural destinations in Italy. And in fact there is no shortage of museums in the old city, capable of surprising and enchanting visitors, gems that tell of centuries of artistic tradition.

During a romantic getaway in Verona or a stay near the Arena, make time for visiting one of the city’s museums: it will be an opportunity for inspiration and learning, but also for relaxation and reflection. The Colomba d’Oro, itself so rich in history and works of art, is located a short distance from some of the most beautiful museums in Verona.

First among all, the Castelvecchio Museum, enclosed in the charming Scaligero Castle which Mastino Della Scala, Lord of Verona, had built for defensive purposes between 1354 and 1357, therefore just 20 years after the construction of the convent which today houses the Hotel Colomba d’Oro. Over the centuries the castle has become a symbol of the military power of the Della Scala dynasty, but also a treasure of art and history. Through 29 rooms, the museum hosts over 600 works ranging from medieval and Renaissance art to modernity, offering visitors a journey through centuries of artistic and architectural evolution. Reachable from the Hotel Colomba d’Oro with a pleasant walk of about five minutes, the Castelvecchio Museum can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10am to 6pm.

Another jewel nestled in the heart of Verona is Palazzo Maffei, with its sumptuous baroque façade that delimits and dominates the north side of Piazza delle Erbe. While the façade of the Palazzo has been the protagonist of the beauty of the square for centuries, it is only since 2020 that the Luigi Carlon collection can be visited inside, a collection of over 600 masterpieces from every era, from the Middle Ages to pop art, which testifies to the extraordinary collecting passion of a patron, offering a journey between ancient and modern art. You can also access the Panoramic Terrace at the top of the Palazzo, for a breathtaking view of Piazza delle Erbe and Verona. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while it is open to visitors from Thursday to Monday, from 10am to 6pm.

Another visit not to be missed during your stay in Verona is the one at the Capitolare Library, one of the oldest libraries in the world! Spread across such picturesque rooms that have also been used as a set for TV series, it is located about a 15 minutes walk from the Colomba d’Oro, in the medieval area of ​​the city, not far from Ponte Pietra and very close to the Duomo, and houses over 1200 precious manuscripts, including unique works in the world. Among the higlights on display, you will find the oldest existing copy of the “De Civitae Dei” by Saint Augustine, dating back to the beginning of the 5th century when the Saint was still alive, “The Institutions” by Gaius, dated to the 5th century, the only text of classical Roman jurisprudence that has come down to us through a palimpsest, resisting the Byzantine manipulations of Justinian’s reform, and also the famous “Veronese Riddle”, a phrase jotted down in the margin of a book of liturgical prayers between the 8th and 9th centuries, considered as the oldest written expression in the Italian language. The Chapter Library can only be visited by reservation, and is open from Thursday to Monday from 10am to 6pm.

Finally, thanks to the bike rental service of the Colomba d’Oro, you can cycle along the streets of ancient Verona and reach, in just over 5 minutes, the Archaeological Museum at the Roman Theatre. The Museum is housed inside an ancient 15th century convent, located right above the Roman Theatre, one of the best preserved in Northern Italy. Its rooms house a rich collection of objects, evidence of Verona’s origins in ancient Rome, including sacred and sepulchral inscriptions, mosaics, sculptures and Roman everyday utensils. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm, the museum offers not only the opportunity to explore the rich historical heritage of Verona, but also to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city, given that the Roman Theater – and therefore also the Archaeological Museum – are located in an elevated position, on the slopes of the San Pietro hill.