Verona
PIAZZA BRA
The name Bra arises from the German "breit", meaning
"broad". It began to be defined as a square only around mid sixteenth
century, when Michele Sammicheli built the Palace of the Honours and
gave a correct perspective to the Arena, limiting the perimeter of the
future square towards the west. Another contribution was made by
construction of the Palace of the Grand Guard, which defines the
southern limit of the area. After paving of the area, which was finished
in 1782, the Bra became the preferred place for a vespers stroll,
instead of Lord’s Square. Around mid XII century, it was used for the
wood, hay, straw and livestock market, to the extent that ancient
documents often refer to the Brà as the “livestock market”. The
traditional fair of Saint Lucy survives as a remnant of the ancient
custom of holding a fair in Piazza Bra. This recurrence takes place each
year between the 11th and 13th of December.
Monuments:
Palazzo Barbieri – Alongside the Arena, on the eastern side of
the square, the neoclassical City Hall rises, which was built in the
nineteenth century by architect Giuseppe Barbieri. It has been the seat
of the municipal government since 12 October 1869. In 1945, the interior
of the City Hall was destroyed by a fire; when it was rebuilt, the rear
portion and semi-circular wing were added.
Grand Guard – Began in the XVII century on a design by Domenico
Curtoni, the Grand Guard is an imposing building, whose stone stair
access leads to the deep and grandiose portico, which is supported by
twelve pillars with full centre arches. The noble floor aligns five
great central arched windows.
Palaces on the Listòn – According to the design by architect M.
Castellazzi, Ottolini Palace, was built in the Sammichelian style. It is
on the corner of Via Roma, near the Guglienzi-Brognoligo Palace, which
is in the Renaissance style of the fifteenth century. The beginning of
the sixteenth century is represented by nearby Fracasso-Gianfilippi
Palace, which has a fresco attributed to Caroto on its façade. Number 16
is Guastaverza Palace (or the Palace of Honours) built in the mid
sixteenth century according to a design by Sammicheli.
<< Back
