DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61893#0144
116
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. IL
Huns and the Lombards. In reality, the inha-
bitants of Verona have always distinguished
themselves by an unusual attachment to their
ancient monuments, and have endeavoured, as
well as the misery of the times, and the general
impoverishment of Italy would allow them, to
preserve and repair their public buildings. From
an early period in the thirteenth century (1228)
we find that there were sums appropriated to the
reparation of the amphitheatre; and that after-
wards public orders were issued for its preserva-
tion and ornament, and respectable citizens ap-
pointed to enforce them. This latter custom
continued till the French invasion, and two per-
sons, entitled Presidenti alia arena, were in-
trusted with its inspection and guardianship.
Such zeal and attention, to which the world owes
one of the noblest monuments of antiquity, are
highly creditable to the taste and the public spi-
rit of the Veronese, and afford an honorable
proof that they not only boast of Roman ex-
traction, but retain some features of the Roman
character.
But the amphitheatre is not the only monu-
ment of antiquity that distinguishes Verona. In
the middle of a street, called the Corso, stands
a gate inscribed with the name of Gallienus, on
account of his having rebuilt the city walls. It
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. IL
Huns and the Lombards. In reality, the inha-
bitants of Verona have always distinguished
themselves by an unusual attachment to their
ancient monuments, and have endeavoured, as
well as the misery of the times, and the general
impoverishment of Italy would allow them, to
preserve and repair their public buildings. From
an early period in the thirteenth century (1228)
we find that there were sums appropriated to the
reparation of the amphitheatre; and that after-
wards public orders were issued for its preserva-
tion and ornament, and respectable citizens ap-
pointed to enforce them. This latter custom
continued till the French invasion, and two per-
sons, entitled Presidenti alia arena, were in-
trusted with its inspection and guardianship.
Such zeal and attention, to which the world owes
one of the noblest monuments of antiquity, are
highly creditable to the taste and the public spi-
rit of the Veronese, and afford an honorable
proof that they not only boast of Roman ex-
traction, but retain some features of the Roman
character.
But the amphitheatre is not the only monu-
ment of antiquity that distinguishes Verona. In
the middle of a street, called the Corso, stands
a gate inscribed with the name of Gallienus, on
account of his having rebuilt the city walls. It