Around the historical centre of Verona, at each step, signs of the grandeur of the former Roman city are still recognizable in the roads and monuments of modern Verona. Protected on three sides by the loop in the river Adige, and defended in the south by the stone walls of the city, Roman Verona was clearly defined by the Decumano (now Corso Sant’Anastasia and Corso Portoni Borsari) and by the Cardo (now Via Leoni), with the minor streets branching out from these. The two main streets intersected at the Forum, present-day Piazza delle Erbe, which, at that time, and for centuries afterwards, was the economical and political centre of the city.

One of the city entrances was at the Southern end of the Decumano and is known today as dai Borsari, (that is the money-changers), and the double-arched stone facade still remains today. On the other end Ponte Pietra was constructed and opposite the Roman Theatre which, spreading its ample arch of stepped seating on the sides of the hill behind, is still used today for summer theatrical events.

Another access gate of the city, today called “dei Leoni”, was at the end of the Cardo, and part of the facade can still be seen, while recent excavations have brought to light the bases of the mighty guard towers. The most magnificent monument of Roman Verona, the Arena was built outside the city walls in the first century A.D. to hold various events and wrestling matches. The enormous amphitheatre could hold up to 25,000 spectators and its interior is still perfectly preserved, whereas the exterior wall fell during an earthquake and there is only a portion, called the Ala, still standing.