Piazza Castel San Pietro

Piazzale Castel San Pietro, located on the hill of San Pietro in Verona, is one of the most fascinating and historically rich places in the city. This site offers an unparalleled panoramic view of the historic center of Verona and the Adige River, making it a privileged destination for tourists and residents. The history of the San Pietro hill is ancient and layered, dating back to the pre-Roman era. During the Roman Empire, the hill housed a temple, while the slopes were adorned by the magnificent Roman Theater, built around 30 B.C. The strategic position of the hill, which allows it to dominate the city and the river, has always made this place of great military and religious importance.In the Middle Ages, a church dedicated to San Pietro was built on the remains of the Roman temple, which gave the hill its name. This site became a fundamental defense point during the various dominations that followed in Verona. In the 14th century, Gian Galeazzo Visconti erected the Visconti castle, which incorporated the church of San Pietro and became a fortified citadel to protect the city.During the rule of the Most Serene Republic of Venice, the castle was further reinforced, maintaining its defensive function until its destruction by Napoleon’s troops in 1801. After the fall of the castle, during the Austrian occupation, a military barracks was built between 1851 and 1856 according to the design of the Austrian engineering colonel Conrad Petrash. This barracks, commissioned by Field Marshal Radetzky, was tasked with controlling and monitoring the city, with an imposing and austere structure that dominated Verona from above.The barracks building, characterized by its neo-Romanesque style, consists of a central four-story building with two side towers and 87 rooms, capable of accommodating a contingent of about 460 soldiers. The structure integrates with the existing Scaliger walls thanks to the addition of decorative battlements. The barracks remained in use until the end of the Austrian rule, and after years of abandonment, a recovery and enhancement plan was initiated starting in 2002, transforming the site into a place of cultural and tourist interest.Today, Piazzale Castel San Pietro is one of the most beloved panoramic points in Verona. Its terrace offers a breathtaking view of the city, encompassing the historic center with its bell towers, bridges over the Adige River, and the surrounding hills. The square can be reached either by a convenient funicular, reopened in 2017, or through a picturesque staircase of 100 steps that starts in front of the Ponte Pietra. The uphill climb, although a bit strenuous, offers emotions and unique views along the way.