Piazza delle Erbe is the oldest square in Verona that rises above the remains of the ancient Roman Forum.
In Roman times it was the center of political and economic life, with time Roman buildings have given way to medieval ones.
The northern side of Piazza delle Erbe is occupied by the ancient Palazzo del Comune, the Torre dei Lamberti and the Case dei Mazzanti with Renaissance frescoes.
The short side of Piazza delle Erbe houses Palazzo Maffei, built in Renaissance Baroque style and surmounted by six marble statues of Roman origin representing six Greek gods: Hercules, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, Apollo and Minerva.
On the south side is the Domus Mercatorum (house of merchants) from the Middle Ages.
The oldest monument in Piazza delle Erbe is the fountain with the statue of Madonna Verona, built in 380.
In Piazza Erbe there is also the Column of the Serenissima, symbol of the Venetian domination of Verona.
Piazza dei Signori is surrounded by buildings connected by arcades and arches, almost creating a kind of internal courtyard.
It was built at different times and in these palaces the administrative and political life of the city was decided.
At the center of Piazza dei Signori is the statue dedicated to Dante, erected on the occasion of the celebrations of the sixth centenary of the birth of the poet, who found his first refuge at the court of Cangrande after exile from Florence.
Entering Piazza dei Signori from Piazza delle Erbe, you pass under the famous Arco della Costa and continuing clockwise you will meet the Loggia del Consiglio, the Palazzo degli Scaligeri and the Palazzo del Capitanio.
Through the arch of the Palazzo del Capitanio you enter the Cortile del Mercato Vecchio with the Palazzo and Scala della Ragione.
