Just off the busy market stalls of Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza dei Signori is a quieter, more composed square in the heart of Verona. Medieval and Renaissance buildings frame its pale stone paving, while a statue of Dante Alighieri stands at the centre. The poet found refuge in Verona during his exile from Florence, and his presence gives the square its other local name, Piazza Dante.
For centuries, the square was a centre of political power. The Scaligeri, who ruled Verona in the 13th and 14th centuries, governed from the palaces around it. Look for the Palazzo del Capitano and the Palazzo della Ragione, whose courtyard contains the Gothic Scala della Ragione staircase. Across the square, the graceful arches and statues of the Loggia del Consiglio offer a striking contrast to the older brickwork.
Piazza dei Signori is worth visiting as much for its atmosphere as its architecture: pause at a café table, then pass through the archway to Piazza delle Erbe or head into the neighbouring courtyard for the Torre dei Lamberti and its rooftop views. Come early in the morning for a quieter look, or near sunset for softer light. The square is best reached on foot; check café prices before sitting down, and take care on the stone paving after rain.