The Verona Churches

Verona is full of beautiful churches, some of which are among the most significant in Italy. These are the ones that really should not be missed…

For the location of these Verona churches and other Verona sights you can visit our Verona map page.

Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore

The most magnificent of all Verona’s churches, built in the 12th century and dedicated to the patron saint of Verona, Saint Zeno. The church is to be found in Piazza San Zeno and entrance costs €4.

The facade is often described as being magnificent but I find it to be a little austere for my tastes - still beautiful in its own way though. The adjacent 14th century bell tower was mentioned in Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Especially lovely is the Rose Window known as the Wheel of Fortune Window. The statues that make up the window show the hardships you can expect to enjoy as you struggle through life.

If the outside is not beautiful, in a spectacular kind of way, it is definitely not the case with the interior. The church is filled with marvels.

The splendid frescoes dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, an amazing inner brass door with panels depicting biblical scenes, a marble statue of Saint Zeno and an extremely important, early Renaissance, work by Andrea Mantegna.

Church of San Lorenzo

San Lorenzo Church in Corso Cavour dates from the 12th century and is one the most important of the Verona churches. The overall impression of this church is one of austerity and the highlight is probably some of the 13th century frescoes and the 16th century altar painting by Domenico Brusasorci .

You need to pay to get in – which is around €3. A good idea is to buy a ticket for €5 that allows you to enter all the main churches of Verona. Ask the local tourism office for details.

Santa Maria Antica

Santa Maria Antica, near Piazza dei Signori, was the local parish church of the absolutely awful Scaligeri mob. The church was built in the 9th century and then rebuilt in the 12th century after an earthquake.

Highlight of any visit are the tombs of the Scaligeri family - pretty weird to say the least but then this was not your average family. There was no space in the church for these extravagant tombs so they are outside and are most certainly worth a visit.

Sant'Anastasia

Situated in Corso Sant’Anastasia, is this enormous church, completed in the 15th century it is one of the most significant Gothic churches in Italy.

Don't miss the two stoups inside the church which are held up by two hunchbacks. They really have such expressive and sad faces. I ended up feeling very sorry for them - much to the amusement of my husband.

Visiting Verona? Really do consider staying at the wonderful Golden Cage!

We have a lot of other churches too. Search for them below...