Torre dei Lamberti

The Torre dei Lamberti is the tallest medieval tower in Verona, rising about 84 metres above the Cortile Mercato Vecchio beside Piazza delle Erbe in Italy's Veneto region. Construction began in the twelfth century and the tower was raised in stages over the following centuries, with an octagonal upper section added in the fifteenth century. The entrance is in the courtyard of the Palazzo della Ragione, reached from Via della Costa, and visitors can either climb 368 steps or take a lift for most of the ascent. Along the way the tower passes through several levels with views of the courtyard below, the internal structure of the shaft, and the large bells that have marked civic events in the city. The two main bells are known as the Marangona and the Rengo, historically used to signal fires and meetings of the city council. At the top, an open bell-chamber terrace gives a panorama across the terracotta roofs of the old town, the loop of the Adige, the dome of the cathedral, the Arena, and the Lessini hills beyond the suburbs. A visit typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, including the wait for the lift in busy periods. Late afternoon is the favoured time for photography, when low light warms the roofs, and the terrace also catches good evening views in summer. Crowds build up from late morning through early afternoon at weekends and in the high season, when the lift queue can be long; weekday mornings are quieter. The tower is also included in the Verona Card, which makes it cheap for visitors already visiting several sites. The terrace has railings and the views are open, so visitors should be careful in windy conditions. The tower sits between Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza dei Signori, making it simple to combine with a walk through both squares and with the neighbouring Galleria d'Arte Moderna, which shares the Palazzo della Ragione complex.