Verona [antikvár]

Bernardo Bellotto (1720-1780) - The Ponte delle Nävi, Verona. VERONA Verona, Urhs Nobilissima, is one of the most beautiful and ancient of all Italian cities — one which is justly famous and beloved both in Italy itself, and indeed, throughout the whole world. Today Verona has more than a quarter of a million inhabitants, and in the whole district of Veneto it is second only to Venice in wealth and importance. The city, which is ideally placed as far as accessibility and climate are concerned, is at a focal point of road and rail links from Italy to the rest of Europe. It is a flourishing industrial, commercial and agricultural centre of international importance, and it is the site of the annual International Agricultural Show and the International Exhibition of Agricultural Machinery — just two of the city's large exhibitions which attract visitors from all over Europe. The city is important in other fields as well — it is the home of the Mondadori firm of publishers, famous the world over. While on the subject of commerce, mention must be made of its wines, fruit, and also its marble, all of which are exported to many countries. Because of its fortunate geographical position and its importance as a European city, Verona has been described as " The Gateway to Italy ". To travellers approaching from the North there is another sense in which Verona can be thought of as the Gateway to Italy. It is the first city which clearly demonstrates the outer aspect, the inner character, the tradition and the beauty of Italy, giving, as it were.