The choice of a guided tour to the churches of Verona offers a lot of possibilities. The sacred edifices which can be visited with a tourist guide of Asso Guide Veneto include the periods of early Christian, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo and 18th century times. All these eras and epochs have used their own way of artistic expression in worshipping God.
Early Christian churches in Verona
St. Helena curch in Verona
The remains of early Christian times can be detected in the ensemble of Verona’s cathedral on mosaic pavements which date back to the 4th and 5th centuries. These decorations testify Christian belief in Verona shortly after the edict of Constantine.
Other examples which date back to these early centuries can be found in the votive chapel of the Saints Teuteria and Tosca near the Apostoli church along the ancient Roman consular connection Postumia. Beautiful sarcophagi made of Paros marble can be admired in the crypt of San Giovanni in Valle, whereas columns made of Assuan granite support the crypt of the S. Stefano church.
Further churches of interest are Santa Maria in Organo, originally a longobard monastery and San Procolo where the first sanctified bishops were worshipped above the territory of an ancient Roman cemetary.
All the mentioned edifices were enlarged and adapted to the Romanesque style at the beginning of the new millennium.
Romanesque churches in Verona
Church of St. Stefano in Verona
The Romanesque architecture of Verona distinguishes itself by the construction of walls which alternate layers of bricks and tuff stone. The churches of this period were built on the left and right sides of the river Adige. The immediate access to water was necessary for the rite of baptism.
On the left side of the Adige river rises the church of Santo Stefano with its octagonal base made of red bricks, the church of Santa Maria in Organo with the precious Renaissance wooden inlays by Fra Giovanni and the church of San Giovanni in Valle which was the Arian baptismal church of the Ostrogoth King Theodoric.
On the right side of the Adige river lies the monastery of San Zeno Maggiore and the Cathedral which has been dedicated to Santa Maria Matricolare. Along the Postumia road, today’s Corso Cavour, rise the churches of San Lorenzo and Santi Apostoli, whereas the church of San Giovanni in Foro is situated along the former Roman Decumanus within the city gate Borsari, which had been dedicated to Jupiter.
Within the heart of the city lies a little Palatine church dedicated to Santa Maria Antica which in Gothic times was enriched above its doorway with the burial of Cangrande I della Scala. Again near the river, the Lower church of San Fermo Maggiore is a unique example of an 11th century Benedictine monastery, where the Ora et Labora rules dictated monastic living.
In all these churches works of art can be admired, such as preciously decorated capitals, votive frescoes and numerous paintings by great artists like Lorenzo Veneziano, Andrea Mantegna, Guercino, Titian and Paolo Veronese. Furthermore, the local artists Altichiero, Maestro Martino and many others left behind works of art which testify a great compositive and coloristic ability in several of the mentioned churches.
Gothic churches
The Gothic style has been adapted in Verona in the times when both the Dominican and Franciscan religious orders arrived in Verona. A magnificent example is the church of Sant Anastasia, which was built by the ruling Veronese family of the Scaligeri, who welcomed the new aspects of the late 14th century.
Other important architectural expressions of this period are the Upper church of San Fermo, the church Saint Thomas of Canterbury and the church San Bernardino, the latter being both similar as to the Gothic construction, but incomparable as far as the works of art within the buildings are concerned.
Renaissance churches
With the end of the Signoria (the Scaligeri Lordship), the long lasting Venetian period commences in Verona, thus the Renaissance style takes over and enters the churches, raises the domes, adds new facades, altars and chapels made of precious marble.
A magnificent example of Renaissance art is the dome designed by Michele Sammicheli of San Giorgio in Braida, a church of early origin, which has been entirely renovated including the inside which will gradually be filled with paintings so to become a sort of art gallery. In churches which already existed, superb elements were added as, for instance the Pellegrini Chapel designed by Sammicheli in San Bernardino.
Especially beautiful are the frescoes and decorations in pure Renaissance style of the San Biagio chapel within the Church of San Nazaro and Celso.
Baroque churches in Verona
The theatrical aspect of Baroque style in Verona can be found in the church of Santo Stefano in the Varalli chapel and in 17th and 18th century churches which have been built by the post council orders, such as San Nicolò all’Arena, Santa Caterina alla Ruota, Santa Teresa agli Scalzi and San Domenico all’Acqua Traversa.
Guided tours in Verona’s churches
The aspect of Verona as a city is faithfully interspersed by the architectural beauty of styles throughout the centuries. Therefore, if accompanied by an expert guide, it is possible to undertake a great variety of interesting tours, which will constantly differ.
The itinerary can be personalized and in doing so can include the visit to a selection of churches which will either provide a general view or else focus on a specifically chosen period.
For further information and details do not hesitate to contact Asso Guide Veneto.