Verona is a beautiful city in Northern Italy, it is the city of William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”. Verona is also home to Chesini bikes.

Verona is one of the most beautiful and historic cities in Italy. With approximately 265,000 inhabitants, it is the second-largest city municipality in the Veneto region and the third of northeast Italy.

I went to Verona in 2009 for a one-day vacation. It was late March.

Verona in March 2009
Verona in March 2009. Verona is a beautiful and historic city on the Adige River in Veneto, Italy. It is unknown if English playwright, poet, and actor, William Shakespeare ever visited Verona or Italy, but two of his plays are set in Verona: the famous Romeo and Juliet (premiered in 1597, which also features Romeo’s visit to Mantua) and The Two Gentlemen of Verona (written between 1589 and 1593). His plays have lured many visitors to Verona and surrounding cities.
Verona in March 2009
The Adige River flows through Verona. It is a river with its source in the Alpine province of South Tyrol near the Italian border with Austria and Switzerland. At 410 kilometers (250 mi) in length, it is the second-longest river in Italy, after the Po river at 652 kilometers (405 mi).

Verona is one of the main tourist destinations in northern Italy. It has several annual fairs, shows, and operas, such as the lyrical season in the Arena, the ancient amphitheater built by the Romans. Because of its urban structure and architecture, Verona has been awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO.

Verona is also the birthplace of famous cyclist Damiano Cunego and young star Elia Viviani.

Verona Arena, MArch 2009
Two guys in gladiator costumes in front of Arena di Verona (Verona Arena). The Verona Arena (Italian: Arena di Verona) is a Roman amphitheater in Piazza Bra in Verona, Italy built in 30 AD. It is still in use today and is internationally famous for the large-scale opera performances given there. In 1981, 1984, 2010, and 2019 it also hosted the podium and presentation of the Giro d’Italia with thousands packing the arena to watch the prizes being handed out.
Piazza delle Erbe
Marketplace Piazza delle Erbe in the historic center of Verona. Piazza delle Erbe means literally the Market’s square. It was once the town’s forum during the time of the Roman Empire. The northern side of the square is occupied by the ancient town hall, the Torre dei Lamberti, the Casa dei Giudici (“Judges’ Hall”), and the frescoed Mazzanti Houses. The western side, the shortest one, features the Baroque Palazzo Maffei, decorated by statues of Greek gods. It is faced by a white marble column, on which is St. Mark’s Lion, the symbol of the Republic of Venice. The north-western side occupies the site of the ancient Roman Capitol Hill, which looked towards the forum. Numerous of its buildings facing the square have maintained façade frescoes. On the southern side is the crenelated Casa dei Mercanti (“House of the Merchants”, also known as Domus Mercatorum), now the seat of the Banca Popolare di Verona. Other buildings, the tall houses of the Ghetto, are reminiscent of medieval tower-houses.
Tower of Santa Anastasia church, Verona in March 2009
The tower of Sant’Anastasia, Verona in March 2009. In Gothic style, it is located in the most ancient part of the city, near the Ponte Pietra. The current church was started in 1280 and completed in 1400, designed by the Dominican friars Fra’ Benvenuto da Imola and Fra’ Nicola da Imola. It took its name from a pre-existing temple built by King Theoderic the Great upon which was built the actual church. Since 1307, it is in fact co-entitled to St. Peter of Verona, martyr, and co-patron of the city. Consecrated in 1471, until 1808 the church was held by the Dominicans. The 72-meter (236 feet) tall belltower had four bells in 1460, the fifth was added in 1650. In 1839, the 9 bells were cast and tuned in C; they are rung in Veronese bellringing art by a local team founded in 1776.

Chesini bikes

I was searching for a bicycle shop in Verona. Somebody told me that there’s a bicycle shop near Ponte Navi. I walked there. The name of the shop was Chesini.

Chesini - Ponte Navi
Chesini shop at Ponte Navi

Once upon a time, Chesini was a famous frame builder. These world championships were won with Chesini frames.

  • Juniors, 1963,
  • 100 km road, 1964,
  • 100 km road, 1965,
  • Juniors, 1990

Until the end of the era of steel tubes and lugs, Chesini built these beauties below:

Chesini Classic
Chesini Classic. Steel lugged frame, Campagnolo components with a special Chesini crankset. A real classic and beauty.
Chesini Pista
Chesini Pista
Chesini Precision
Chesini Precision
Chesini Precision
Chesini Precision
Chesini Model-X Uno Frameset
Chesini Model-X Uno Frameset. It is built from Columbus SL and has completely internally routed cables.
Chesini Logo
Worldwide famous “Arena di Verona” (Arena of Verona), the ancient amphitheater built by the Romans, is on the Chesini Logo.
Chesini Workshop, 80s
Chesini workshop during the early 1980s. Photos: Classic Rendezvous website

Sources

M. Özgür Nevres

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