Verona’s Arsenal was the second largest in the Austro-Hungarian empire and looks like Vienna’s Arsenal.
When you cross the medieval bridge and leave Castelvecchio behind you, you will notice a remarkable building. It is the Arsenal, erected during the Austrian domination from 1854 to 1861.
Verona was a military stronghold because of its strategic position in northern Italy and the huge number of troops based in the city (almost half of the entire city population).
The Arsenal in Verona was the second largest in the Habsburg empire after that of the capital, Vienna. You can clearly identify the similarities between the two structures, both with several internal courtyards and blocks. The style of the Veronese Arsenal is Neo Romanesque, ot the so-called “Rundbogenstil”.
The Viennese Arsenal has been hosting the Museum of Military History https://www.hgm.at/en since 1856 with rich collections. The Veronese Arsenal is still undergoing renovation, but in this large area you can find:
- a playground with a coffee stand, always very popular among Veronese children and tourist families visiting the city
- a big pool fountain where you can chill out on hot summer days and ice skate in winter
- the remains of an ancient roman mill recently brought to light during the construction of an underground car park
