Arena di Verona

An article on the Arena di Verona along with pictures, videos and a map.

Roman amphitheatre, is the biggest open air opera house in the world. Once capable of housing 20.000 guests on a performance (now 15.000 because of safety reasons) it is a very interesting experience to visit and if you have the chance to go to a opera performance there I would surely recommend you doing so.

It is only about 45 kilometers from Desenzano to Verona. See the below map.

Buying the least expensive seats (I did that, have not tried the more expensive ones), you can have a unforgettable night out from only 25 euros pr. person.

One problem though!! The last train from Verona to Desenzano leaves before the opera is over so if not in a car, you have two options.

1. Take a pullmann, 30euros pr. person (I haven´t tried that) or 
2. Hire a minivan which pickes you up at the hotel, drives you to the Arena and waits for you there. It costs about 150 euros and 7 passengers can go. So if you are 4 or more I would reccommend that. I went that way this summer and it is very cosy experience and takes all stress away regarding getting there.

You can get all the info on travel arrangements at the Tourist information kiosk in Desenzano. (they don´t have a website yet)

A few points:

• You can buy the tickets online at the Arena homepage, in Desenzano 2 places that I know of (talk to the Tourist Information), or at the Arena. I recommend doing it in Desenzano before you go, cost´s 3 euros more but it is more convenient and it might be sold out.  Attn: If anybody offers to "get you tickets" or "he knows someone in Verona" be aware. They charge for it, in one instance I know of 20 euros pr. ticket!! And that guy was the one that drowe them (minibus driver) to the Arena and back. A quick buck for him. Then he just went downtown Desenzano and bought the tickets like they should have done if they only knew that it was that easy. In your case, it might be only a few meters from your hotel. 
• The season is only the summer, June, July, August
• I would also bring a sandwich, water and a bottle of wine. They sell both at the Arena but not very cheap though.
• Bring a binocular. I bought one off a street sales man, he wanted 25 euros to begin with and I said 10, he said yes;)  But it wasn´t very good though. I won´t use it much. I would recommend to buy a better one before the show in Desenzano or Verona (shops) and keep it.
  
  

For more info on prices, driving directions, the performances etc, check out their website: www.arena.it  

Well enough text, lets see some pictures and videos.

A picture of the Arena

A picture taken from a Restaurant by the Arena. There you can see the annual CD that is sold each year. This is the 2006 edition. I too own the 2007;)

Arriving at the Arena you walk by many restaurants. Good idea to come early and have a dinner first.

If you don´ t already have a ticket you can buy it here. Also on it´s right is the Arena shop.

Here you can buy cd´s, dvd´s with singers such as, Di Stefano, Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Renata Tebaldi, Kristjan Johannsson and Giacinto Prandelli,. Also other souveneirs from the Arena. It is not expensive. I recommend that you buy the libretto (the text of the opera along with english translation).

There might be 15.000 other people coming to see the Opera but I did not feel crowded. They let people in in many places. If you however have the C,D,E or F tickets you have no numbered seats. Therefor I would be there at least 1 hour before it starts. You can go in and out of the arena as you want before it starts and in the breaks.

There are gate keepers at all entrances. Your entrance has the letter of your ticket above it. See picture nr. 2 above. Keep the ticket so you can go in and out without trouble.

You can rent these paddings if you are in the C,D,E,F areas. I highly recommend that you either bring your own or rent these. They rent for 3 euros.

The toilets are outside the Arena, behind it if we call the ticketoffice the front. These are fairly decent but they are only a hole in the floor. (a typical thing here for public lavatories)

1 hour before it started

1 hour before it started

A few minutes before it started. It begins with the audience lighting candles which are handed out or forwarded among the audience.

A few minutes before it started. It begins with the audience lighting candles which are handed out or forwarded among the audience.