Lords' Square

Piazza dei Signori, also known as Piazza Dante, is one of the most charming and historically significant squares in Verona, located in the heart of the historic center, next to Piazza delle Erbe. This square was born in the Middle Ages, developing around the palaces of the Lords of the Scala, who used it as the center of political and administrative power. The intimate atmosphere and elegant architecture make Piazza dei Signori a true “living room” of the city. The square is surrounded by monumental buildings connected by porticoes and arches, creating a harmonious and aristocratic environment. One of the most important is the Palazzo della Ragione, built at the end of the 12th century as the seat of the Municipality. This palace, characterized by alternating layers of tuff and bricks, was partly modified in the 19th century and now houses the Achille Forti Modern Art Gallery. Adjacent to the palace is the Lamberti Tower, which with its 84 meters in height offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city. Another significant building is the Palazzo del Podestà, erected by the Scaliger family in the 13th century and later modified by the Venetians, who added the portal surmounted by the Lion of St. Mark. The palace was the residence of the Lords of the Scala and later the seat of the Venetian Government. On the left side of the square is the Loggia del Consiglio, built between 1476 and 1493 as the seat of the city council meetings. This Renaissance building, also known as the Loggia of Fra’ Giocondo, is a fine example of Renaissance architecture in the Veneto. In the center of the square, since 1865, stands the statue of Dante Alighieri, a work by the sculptor Ugo Zannoni, made of white Carrara marble. Dante, who found refuge in Verona at the court of Cangrande della Scala after being exiled from Florence, is depicted in a pensive attitude, a testament to the bond between the poet and the city. The statue was erected on the occasion of the celebrations of the sixth centenary of Dante’s birth and represents a symbol of the unity and independence of the Veronese people of that time.