 The Veronese commonly refer to Piazza dei Signori as Piazza Dante. It is the heart of the older part of Verona. It is a celebration of power and the arts as it is dominated by palaces and has at its center the statue of the famous poet Dante.
At the center of the piazza there is a statue of the famous poet Dante Alighieri. After being exiled he came to Verona as guest of the Scala family. In 1865 this monument was erected on the six hundredth death anniversary of the poet. Ugo Zannoni sculpted it.
 Beautiful and important buildings surround Piazza dei Signori. They are of immense historical and archaeological value and impose grandeur to this square. They include the Palazzo del Commune, the Loggia del Consiglio, the Palazzo degli Scaligeri and the Palazzo dell Governo.
The Loggia del Consiglio is perhaps the most beautiful building in this square. Fra Giocondo built it between 1476 and 1492. It is the best example of the Renaissance style in the city. It is a mixture of Tuscan elegance and Veronese style. It has four elegant windows and beautiful frescoes above and a loggia below. The statues at the top are the famous Veronese citizens including Vitruvius, Catullus, Emilio Marco, Cornelius Nepos and Pliny.
 At the side where the Palazzo del Commune faces the piazza there is a stone face and also a few damaged Coats of Arms of various Venetian Governors. The stone face resembling that of a lion has an open mouth for ordinary citizens to post their grievances against the Veronese Lords and rulers of the time.
 At the end of the square one can find the Palazzo degli Scaligeri. It was built in the thirteenth century. The Scaligeri family ruled Verona from 1260 to1387. It served as the Tribunal when the Scaligeri family was in power. In the courtyard behind the Arch Scaligeri one can also see the highly decorated tombs of the Scaligeri family.
 The Palazzo dell Governo was also built by the Scaligeri family. The entire square is dominated by the building built by the Scaligeri family and its influence on Verona including their patronage extended to Dante when he fled Florence and sought refuge with the family.
Dante’s café is a nice place to spend a few leisurely moments or even hours. This café has retained its nineteenth century traditional style and is a good place to unwind before or after visiting all the other attractions in this square. |
