Palace of the Gran Guardia and Piazza Bra
In the heart of Verona, just steps away from the Arena, beyond the nineteenth-century gardens of Piazza Bra, stands the majestic Palazzo della Gran Guardia. This imposing building with majestic architecture occupies the southern side of Piazza Bra, the largest and most iconic square in Verona.
The history of the Palazzo della Gran Guardia begins in the seventeenth century when the Republic of Venice, which ruled Verona at the time, decided to erect a new building intended to review the troops indoors, even in bad weather. Construction began in the late 1609, under the guidance of architect Domenico Curtoni, nephew, and pupil of Michele Sanmicheli. To reduce time and costs, it was attached to the walls of the Cittadella; nevertheless, due to financial difficulties, the work was interrupted in 1622. The east side of the noble floor, starting from the ninth window, remained incomplete for much of the eighteenth century.
Construction resumed in 1819, when Verona was already under Austrian rule, and the work was entrusted to engineer Giuseppe Barbieri. The noble floor was completed, and the imposing internal staircase was added. However, just before the work was finished, construction had to be halted again, and the palace was occupied by the Habsburg military due to the first war of independence. The palace was finally completed in 1853.
Throughout the twentieth century, the building underwent significant restorations and transformations. Today, Palazzo della Gran Guardia is primarily a center for cultural events, art exhibitions, concerts, and conferences. Its majestic architecture and central location make it a perfect setting for a variety of public and private events.
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