the tragic story of romeo and juliet, two young lovers from rival families (the capulets and the montagues in shakespeare's plat), was written by luigi da poto of vicenza in the 1520s and has inspired countless poems, films, ballets and dramas.
at the casa di giulietta (juliet's house), n°27 via cappello, romeo is said to have climbed to juliet's balcony: in reality this is a restored 13th century inn.
crowds throng to see the simple facade, and stand on the small marble balcony.
the run-down house dubbed the casa di romeo stands a few street away in via arche scaligeri, east of piazza dei signori.
the so-called tomba di giulietta is displayed in a crypt below the cloister of san francesco al corso on via del pontiere.
the stone sarcophagus lies in an extremely atmospheric setting.