The history of Verona has its roots in antiquity: already inhabited in the Lower Paleolithic, it became a favored place for the Veneti, Etruscans, Gauls, and Cenomani.

Roman Verona was born from an alliance: the city helped Rome in the Second Punic War. Its fortunate geographical position gave it importance during the Flavian era, but even more so during the period of barbarian invasions and the Germanic Empire. In the 5th century, it was conquered by Attila and witnessed the defeat of Odoacer at the hands of Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths, who chose it as his favored residence, providing it with aqueducts, baths, palaces, and new defensive walls.

In 774, the city became part of the Carolingian Empire founded by the Franks, becoming the capital of the Lombard Kingdom under Pepin. Berengar, by then emperor, chose it as his residence, giving the city political and military significance.

In the first half of the 12th century, Verona was a free Commune governed by an alliance between the clergy, the aristocracy, and wealthy merchants. It became the papal seat from 1181 to 1185 with Pope Lucius III, defending its autonomy from attempts at restoration by Barbarossa and Frederick II of Swabia. This was followed by the period of the Scaligeri, which began in 1263 and lasted for over 120 years with great economic prosperity: thanks to the beloved leader Cangrande della Scala, castles, churches, and palaces were built, and Giotto, Dante, and Petrarch were hosted.

Venetian Verona dates back to 1405, when the city freely allied itself with the Most Serene Republic. In 1796, it was invaded by Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops, and the Congress of Vienna in 1815 assigned it to Austria. After the war of 1866, it was finally united with the Kingdom of Italy led by the House of Savoy.