Verona / Piazza delle Erbe & Piazza dei Signori
Squares
Piazza delle Erbe & Piazza dei Signori
Two connected squares on the site of the Roman forum, one a market since antiquity, the other its quieter formal counterpart.
- Price
- Free to visit
- Hours
- Always accessible
- Avg. visit
- 45 minutes to an hour
- Book ahead
- No
Piazza delle Erbe occupies the site of the Roman forum, and has functioned as a market continuously since antiquity — a rare case of unbroken civic use spanning two thousand years on the same footprint. The square is ringed by frescoed facades, anchored by a 14th-century fountain topped with a Roman statue reused as a symbol of the city, and marked at one end by a column bearing the Venetian lion, a reminder of Verona's centuries under Venetian rule.
A short archway at one corner of Piazza delle Erbe leads through to Piazza dei Signori, a noticeably quieter and more formal space that served as the political heart of medieval Verona under the Scaliger dynasty. A statue of Dante stands here, commemorating the years the poet spent in exile as a guest of the Scaligeri — one of several Italian cities to shelter him after his banishment from Florence.
Inside
What to see
- The 14th-century fountain in Piazza delle Erbe, topped by a reused Roman statue known locally as the Madonna Verona
- The column bearing the Venetian lion, marking centuries of Verona's incorporation into the Venetian Republic
- The archway connecting the two squares, a short but distinct transition in mood and scale
- The statue of Dante in Piazza dei Signori, commemorating his years of exile in the city
Practical
Good to know
- The market stalls in Piazza delle Erbe now skew heavily toward souvenirs rather than the produce market the square once hosted.
- Come in the early morning or after dark if you want to see the squares without the daytime crowds — both empty out noticeably at those times.
- Piazza dei Signori is consistently quieter than Piazza delle Erbe, making it a good spot to sit and rest between sights.
Timing
When it's busiest
- Morning
- Quiet
- Midday
- Busy
- Afternoon
- Busy
- Evening
- Moderate
Nearby
Combine your visit
Right in the square
Torre dei Lamberti
Climb the tower rising directly from Piazza delle Erbe for a view over both squares.
Visit →
5-minute walk
Casa di Giulietta
Visit the famous balcony a short walk from the market square.
Visit →
10-minute walk
Arena di Verona
Head back to the Roman amphitheatre and Piazza Bra.
Visit →
FAQ
Common questions
Is the market still a real produce market?
Not primarily — stalls in Piazza delle Erbe today lean heavily toward souvenirs rather than the fresh produce the square historically hosted.
What connects the two squares?
A short archway at one corner of Piazza delle Erbe leads directly into Piazza dei Signori.
Why is there a statue of Dante here?
Dante spent part of his exile from Florence in Verona as a guest of the ruling Scaliger family, and the statue in Piazza dei Signori commemorates that period.
What's the best time to visit?
Early morning or after dark, when both squares are noticeably quieter than during the day.