Discover the Fascinating History and Views from Verona’s Torre dei Lamberti
With 84 meters, the Torre dei Lamberti is the tallest building in Verona. From here, you can see a beautiful view of the city’s center.
An old story says that a Veronese noblewoman was forced to pay for the casting of a bell to remind her every day of the crime she committed against a rival in love. The Marangona and the Rengo were both put in the Torre dei Lamberti in the year 1295. The smaller Marangona was used to tell the craftsmen when it was time to go to work, while the larger Rengo was used to call people to meetings of the municipal councils or to warn them of danger.
Built by the Lamberti family, who wanted it to be their home (for others, it would be the foundations for a future civic tower), the 84-meter tower towers over the whole city of lovers. On its north-east side is the beautiful Piazza delle Erbe, which was built on the site of the Roman forum. Here, the Palazzo della Ragione, which is the tallest building in Verona and one of its most famous symbols, stands out.
The Torre dei Lamberti is one of the most-visited buildings in Verona. It has been carefully restored and expanded over the years, so that the mix of styles (mostly Romanesque and Gothic) and materials has always looked good. For example, the belfry was added in 1464, making it the second-tallest building in the city (after the bell tower of the Ca’ d’Oro).
In 1779, the people liked the idea of putting a big clock on one of the tower’s sides, but the craftsman in charge of this job died before he could finish the job. This made the people have to wait a few more years. This Verona symbol wasn’t made until 1798, when a man named Giovanni Sagramoso stepped in and paid to have it put up.
The tower was built in the 12th century, in 1172, with a mix of materials that make it one of the most interesting pieces of architecture in the city. The lower part, which is 37 meters tall, is made of tuff and bricks, while the upper part is made of terracotta and dates back to the middle of the 15th century.
When you visit this monument, you can’t miss the beautiful bell tower, which you can reach on foot or by lift. We recommend taking the spiral staircase to the top, which is also the site of a competitive foot race that has drawn athletes from all over Italy for years. Climb its 289 steps (calmly! ), because the view from the top is incredible.
Since 1972, the tower has been open to the public. It can be seen Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, and on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from 11 am to 19 pm. Closing day: Monday 45 minutes earlier, the ticket office will close.
Torre dei Lamberti and Achille Forti Modern Art Gallery have entrance fees of €8 for adults, €5 for seniors, €1 for school groups, and €0 for children under 7, residents over 65, disabled people with a companion, and Verona Card holders (€1 for the lift).
The pedestrian Piazza delle Erbe and the tower are easy to get to by car from the A4 motorway with the Verona Sud exit and then towards the historic center (but remember that it is a restricted traffic area); by train from Verona Porta Nuova station; by public transportation (lines 11/12/13 Piazza Bra and 21/22/23/24/41 and 42 Portoni Borsari); or by walking along (if coming from the station) Piazzale Porta Nuova
