This is a full round of 18 holes through Verona. The map is the real city and the ball rolls along its actual streets, using attractions like the Arena di Verona as the basis for the holes. A total of 10 portals help bridge the 10.1 km walk across the city. Skip is a local guide who knows these pavements well, including exactly which ledges offer the best view of the street. This round follows the real geography of the town to reach each cup.
Let me show you the Arena di Verona, located right in the heart of Verona. This Roman amphitheatre is a prime example of ancient Roman architecture and is now an archaeological site. It reaches a height of 31 meters, making it a prominent feature of the city skyline. Every year, 195,540 visitors come to see the site. I've noticed that the scale of the place always catches people by surprise when they first walk up to it, and it really makes you feel the weight of the history here.
I can show you to Castelvecchio, a castle located in Verona, northern Italy. This Italian national heritage site is built in the Gothic architecture style and its inception was in 1356. It is the most important military construction of the Scaliger dynasty that ruled Verona in the Middle Ages. Today, the site also functions as a museum building and a military school. You can pick out the defensive details of the stone walls as you pass by, though I usually just stick to the ledges where the wind is better.
Look closely at the weathered stone and the classical lines of the ancient Roman architecture. This is Porta Borsari, an ancient Roman city gate located in Verona. It remains one of the most prominent examples of the city's early history in northern Italy. Because of its historical and architectural value, the gate is designated as an Italian national heritage. I always find that the scale of these old entrances makes you feel quite small as you pass through them, reminding us of the people who walked these same paths centuries ago.
Let me show you Porta Leoni, an ancient Roman gate located in Verona, northern Italy. This site is a prime example of ancient Roman architecture and is recognized as Italian national heritage. Visitors can explore it as a Roman archaeological site to see how the city was accessed in antiquity. It is a wonderful spot for anyone interested in the remnants of the Roman Empire. I have found that the stonework here always catches the light beautifully during the afternoon, making it a favorite place for me to keep an eye on the passing crowds.
You will first notice the imposing structure of Porta Vittoria, which is a city gate. This landmark is more than just a point of entry; it is recognized as an Italian national heritage. I always find that the scale of these old gates makes the city feel like a fortress. It is a great spot to pause and appreciate the boundary between the old center and the surrounding areas. Whether you are walking or rolling a ball, the architecture here demands your attention and gives a sense of the city's enduring strength.
You might expect another art gallery when walking through the city, but let me show you something different. The Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Verona is an archaeological museum and a piece of Italian national heritage. It also functions as a Museum of the Italian Ministry of Culture. This particular site sees 6,095 annual visitors. I have noticed that the crowds here are usually much smaller than the ones you will find at the arena, which makes for a much more relaxed visit. It is a great place to see how the local history was preserved.
Let me show you the Museo archeologico al Teatro Romano. This archaeological museum was started in 1924 and provides a look at the city's ancient roots. It also functions as an archaeological park where you can wander through the remains. I've noticed the crowds are steady here, as the site sees 13,697 annual visitors. It is a museum of a public entity, which ensures the site remains accessible for everyone who wants to explore the history of Verona. It is a great spot to spend an afternoon if you enjoy walking through the remnants of the past.
Look at the stalls and vendors that define this market, then look up to see the surrounding architecture. Piazza delle Erbe is a square in Verona, northern Italy. While it is a bustling commercial hub today, it holds a much older history as the town's forum during the time of the Roman Empire. I've found it's the kind of place where you can feel the layers of the city just by walking across the stones. Whether you are visiting for the history or the produce, it is one of the most recognizable spots in the city.
Let me show you Ponte Pietra, the oldest bridge in Verona. This ancient Roman structure is a stone deck arch bridge that crosses the Adige River. It was completed in 100 BC and has served as a road bridge for centuries. You can pick out where the Via Postumia passed over the bridge on its route from Genoa to Aquileia. I've always found it impressive that these stones have held up so well against the river current over the years. It is a great spot to stop and look at the water before moving on to the next part of the city.
Let me show you Palazzo Miniscalchi Erizzo, a late-Gothic style palace with a facade on Via San Mamaso in central Verona. Today, this building functions as an art, archaeological, and private museum. It is recognized as Italian national heritage and is located in the Veneto region. If you look closely, you can see it is adjacent to the Neoclassic style Palazzo Miniscalchi-Erizzo on via Garibaldi, which dates to the 19th century. I've noticed it stays quite peaceful here, as it only sees 320 annual visitors.
Chiesa di San Lorenzo is a church building constructed in Romanesque and Italian Gothic architecture styles. This Roman Catholic church is located on Corso Cavour in central Verona, within the region of Veneto, Italy. You can observe how the building combines these two distinct architectural traditions. As a place of worship in the center of the city, it provides a point of reflection for those passing through the region of Veneto. The structure stands as a clear example of the specific building styles used for this church building.
Let me show you the Museo lapidario maffeiano. This archaeological museum was created to house a collection of stones and inscriptions, and it is recognized as Italian national heritage. You can explore the exhibits in this specialized museum, which is managed as a museum of a public entity. While some of the city's larger sites get the crowds, this spot sees 2,019 annual visitors. I find the quiet atmosphere here quite a change from the bustle of the main squares.
You might expect another traditional gallery, but the Museo degli affreschi is an art museum dedicated to the art of wall painting. This site is recognized as Italian national heritage, preserving works that were often detached from their original buildings to ensure their survival. It is a museum of a public entity that keeps these treasures accessible to the public. I've noticed it's a bit more intimate than the larger landmarks, which makes the experience feel more personal and allows you to really focus on the textures of the plaster.
Let me show you the Museo di Storia Naturale, located here in the heart of Verona. It is a natural history museum and recognized as Italian national heritage. You can pick out various exhibits across the site, which also operates as an archaeological museum. It is a museum of a public entity that sees 6,351 annual visitors. I find the mix of nature and archaeology makes for a very interesting stroll, though I usually prefer to keep my eyes on the crumbs left behind by the tourists in the plaza.
Notice the transition between the Romanesque and Renaissance architecture styles on the facade. These elements define the Chiesa di Santa Maria in Organo, a Roman Catholic church located in Verona. This building is a significant example of how different architectural periods can coexist within a single structure in Northern Italy. Visitors can see the heavy, rounded forms of the Romanesque period alongside the symmetry and proportion of the Renaissance style. It is a place where the history of Italian construction is written directly into the stone of the church building.
Cattedrale di Santa Maria Matricolare is a cathedral located in Verona, northern Italy. Construction on the building was started in 1117. Visitors can see the influence of two distinct eras in its design, as it is built in both Romanesque and Renaissance architecture styles. The cathedral is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the designation Santa Maria Matricolare. In addition to its religious significance, the building is the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Verona.
This is not a recent addition to the city, but a Catholic place of worship located in Verona's historic center. Chiesa di Sant'Eufemia is a church building whose inception was in 1275, though a church building probably already existed at the site in the 6th century. The structure blends Gothic and Renaissance architecture. It was consecrated in 1331 by the bishop of Verona Nicolò. The site has long been a center of faith, and the physical building we see today reflects the styles and the religious leadership that shaped the historic center of Verona over several centuries.
Located in Verona, the Chiesa di San Giorgio in Braida is a Catholic place of worship. This church building features Renaissance architecture and was designed by the architect Michele Sanmicheli. The site has a long history, beginning in 1046 when Pietro Cadalo decided to alienate some of his assets to establish a Benedictine monastery. An original Romanesque building was likely rebuilt after an earthquake in 1117. The complex later passed to the Congregation of San Giorgio in Alga in 1442 and was sold to the nuns of Santa Maria in Reggio in 1669. After the parish ceased to exist in 1807, it was re-established as an independent parish on March 2, 1874.