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Arena of Verona

The Arena of Verona is the largest open-air opera theater in the world, the third-largest Roman amphitheater in Italy, and the oldest with the best level of preservation. Along with Juliet's balcony, it is one of the symbols of Verona.

Its history is very ancient and dates back to the first century AD: it was built in Piazza Bra, which at the time was located outside the city walls, and was completed around 30 AD.

Like the Colosseum, the Arena was used to offer Verona's citizens various types of games and shows, including gladiator battles.

Since the 1600s, it hosted jousting and shows like bull hunting, and from the 1800s, it became a venue for operas, the first being La Santa Alleanza with music by Gioacchino Rossini. During that time, horseback riding and bicycle races, balloon ascension shows, acrobatic gymnastics, comedy, and bingo were also highly popular.

The first opera season took place in 1856, featuring Il Casino di Campagna and La fanciulla di Gand by Pietro Lenotti, as well as Le convenienze teatrali and I pazzi per progetto by Gaetano Donizetti.

In 1913, a performance of Aida officially opened the Arena Opera Festival. Since then, the Verona amphitheater has become the largest open-air opera theater in the world. Every year, in addition to the Opera Festival, it hosts numerous concerts by major Italian and international pop and rock artists.

Roman Theatre of Verona

The Roman Theatre is the oldest building in Verona: its construction dates back to the late 1st century BC. It was built at the foot of San Pietro hill, in the northern part of the ancient city, using the natural slope of the land to construct the seating steps.

During the Middle Ages, the theatre was damaged by floods and earthquakes, and eventually buried under houses and convents.

At the end of the 19th century, thanks to the efforts of Andrea Monga, a doctor with a passion for archaeology, and the Municipality of Verona, the area under which the theatre had rested for nearly two millennia was purchased, the small houses built on the cavea were demolished, and what remained of the Roman Theatre was brought to light.

Adding to the charm of the scene are two buildings that survived the excavations for its recovery: the Convent of San Girolamo and the Church of Santi Siro e Libera.

The Roman Theatre, in addition to being one of Verona’s most important archaeological monuments – it is part of the city’s Archaeological Museum – is still used as a theatre space during the summer months, hosting the Verona Summer Theatre Festival.

Tennis Central Court at the Foro Italico in Rome

It is the central tennis court of the sports complex at the Foro Italico in Rome.

The old "central court" or "central tennis stadium" at the Foro Italico was dismantled and replaced with a new, more modern and spacious one, which may in the future be equipped with a retractable roof to be used in case of adverse weather conditions. The stadium has also hosted World League matches of the Italian men's national volleyball team.

Officially inaugurated on April 27, 2010, it was first used for the 2010 edition of the Italian Open.

Piazza degli Scacchi - Marostica (Vicenza)

The legend of the Chess Game dates back to 1454, when Marostica was one of the loyal cities of the Republic of Venice, and its government was led by a podestà appointed directly by the city of St. Mark.

It is said that in that year, two valiant warriors, Rinaldo D’Angarano and Vieri da Vallonara, fell madly in love with the beautiful Lionora, daughter of Castellan Taddeo Parisio. She would marry the one of the two rivals who won the game of noble chess; the defeated would still become part of the family by marrying Oldrada, her younger, still young and beautiful sister.

The match would take place on a festive day in the square of the lower castle, with large living pieces, armed and marked with the insignia of white and black, according to the ancient rules of the noble art, in the presence of the Castellan, his enchanting daughter, the Lords of Angarano and Vallonara, the nobles of the nearby cities, and all the people. The challenge would be honored by a display in the field of artisans, infantrymen, and knights, with fireworks and illuminations.

The Human Chess Game is still played in Marostica’s square every second weekend of September in even-numbered years.

Overlooking the square is the charming Lower Castle, built in the 14th century in the form of an enclosed castle, similar to the fortified palaces of Lombardy and Verona.

Palavela of Torino

Palavela di Torino

Inaugurated in 1961 to celebrate the centenary of Italy’s unification, the "PalaVela" was originally built to host exhibitions and fairs.

After years of neglect, in 2004 the structure was renovated and reinterpreted by Gae Aulenti to host the figure skating and short track events for the 2006 Turin Olympics.

It was on the PalaVela ice rink that Enrico Fabris won two gold medals in speed skating and that Arianna Fontana, not yet sixteen, began her incredible short track career with a bronze in the relay.

Italy’s temple of ice skating sees an annual attendance of 70,000 people drawn by the many events and entertainment activities it offers, particularly ice galas and national and international sports competitions.