VERONA – THE CITY OF ROMEO AND JULIET
Verona
When people talk about Italy, it is generally the cities such as Rome, Venice or Milano in question. The cities which are already famous! But there also other cities which deserve to be visited in Italy. One of them is Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet. Everybody knows about those star-crossed lovers but very few people know that they lived or supposed to have lived in Verona. And few know that there is a house of Juliet in the city which can be visited.
There was never a story sadder than that of Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare. Nobody knows for sure if Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeares romantic heroes, really existed, but millions of people go to Verona, Italy, to see the house of Juliet. This 13th-century house belonged to the Cappello family who had a daughter called Juliet.Juliet Cappello was born on September 16, Probably legends and poems about her romance with a young man inspired Shakespeare to write his famous play in 1596.Thousands of lovers from all over the world leave their love notes on the walls of the house.There is the Juliet Club in Verona. Heartbroken men and women all over the world sent their letters to the Club. And each letter is answered!
This tradition dates from 1937, when the guardian of Juliet Cappellos tomb found a letter at her grave. It had a very simple address to Juliet, Verona and was written by an Englishman who was desperately in love with a girl. The guardian felt sorry and decided to write back pretending to be Juliets secretary. Answering love letters isnt an easy job. Most of the letters are written in Italian and English, but some are written in Chinese, Japanese, Arabic and other difficult languages. Some letters are very difficult to answer and volunteers have to ask a psychologist for help. On September 16 there is a festival in Verona to celebrate Juliets birthday.
Juliets bronze sculpture created by the Veronese sculptor Nereo Costantini. It is believed that anyone who touches it will find happiness and love.
Locks at the entrance
It is supposed to be Juliets bed
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Romeos door
. My only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me, That I must love a loathed enemy. Shakespeare