The beautiful place of Italy is always visited by hopeless romantics or couples in love. It is one of the ideal places to be in for a wedding, a honeymoon or even for a proposal. Just as tourists who fell in love with the beauty of Paris, they are surely going to fall head over heels for the romantic high they would get when they visit the home of Juliet Capulet in Verona.
It may seem like a cliche but the age-old story of the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, is one reason that would bring people to Verona, Italy. And with the release of the movie Letters to Juliet, more and more people got to know about the romanticism of Verona and this popular tourist destination is likely to draw hoards of romantic hopefuls flocking to its shores along the Adige river in search of love and adventure.
Casa di Giulietta, or Juliet’s House, is where the Capuleti family is said to have lived. Located in the centre of Verona at via Cappello 23, it is a little difficult to find. Follow the directions to Piazza delle Erbe and once you see the graffiti covered sign post and the plaque above the archway, you will recognise it by the number of people inside the courtyard.
Pass through the short dark tunnel and you’ll find yourself in the intimate courtyard vying for a photo opportunity with fellow awe-struck visitors.
With romance in your heart, you’ve come to see this – Juliet’s balcony. Allow your mind to play a romantic scene from a late night fantasy or a bad Hollywood romantic comedy, whichever it may be, the balcony will surely be something you’d want to take a picture of.
The tiny balcony is indeed picture pretty. But if you believe the folklore, the Capuleti family has never lived here and the balcony was a recent addition in 1936 by the government to attract tourism. For just €4, you can visit the interior of the house to see the bed from the 1936 Zeffirelli’s movie Romeo and Juliet. But be prepared to rub shoulders with clichéd romantics reading each other passages from Shakespeare’s work on the infamous balcony.
Back in the courtyard, once you’ve elbowed enough photographers to secure a spot in front of Juliet’s bronze statue, some smart alec or a middle-aged German bloke will suddenly jump in front of your camera and grope Juliet’s right breast for luck. This peculiar tradition, as bizarre as women rubbing the bulge in Victor Noir’s trousers at Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris, was probably started by someone with a fetish for cold shiny metallic objects. But then again, there’s no harm in trying, right?
Look around you at the people in the courtyard and try to ignore the souvenir shops with kitsch Romeo and Juliet memorabilia. The posers are taking their time on the balcony and the statue. The photographers are lined up at the back sighing in frustration. Young lovers are floating in heart-shaped clouds. Remember that you’re here in the romantic heart of Verona, and there’s one more thing left to do.
The dark tunnel through which you entered houses a collection of love letter on its walls, left for the secretaries of Juliet to answer.
You are about to partake in the tradition and leave a note. And just as that important scene in the movie where Sophie found Claire’s letter to Juliet about her decision to go after Lorenzo Bartolini or not, tear a piece of paper from your spiral notebook, enter your message of love and search frantically for a method to attach it to the wall. Tempted as you may be, don’t touch the blobs of chewed up gum used to secure love notes to the graffiti wall. Get creative, and you could share a bit of adhesive tape from another note or bring your own adhesive tape.
If you’re visiting with your beloved, remember to share a kiss in the courtyard. After all, you’re in one of the most romantic parts of Italy. Relive the whole Romeo and Juliet scenes and just enjoy Casa Di Giuliettain Verona, Italy.
