Verona is the city of Romeo and Juliet and of the Arena, the amphitheatre which presents some of the world's most impressive outdoor opera performances every year. The city was built in prehistoric times, probably in the point where the Ponte Pietra stands today, where the ford across the Adige along the salt and amber road from the Adriatic to Germany used to be. Perhaps founded by the Venetians, (Raeti, Euganei and perhaps Cenomani Galls), it rose to great importance in Roman times, acquiring Roman citizenship in the year 49 B.C.. Converted to Christianity in the fourth century, in the middle of the fifth it was the favoured residence of Ostrogothic King Theodoric, and subsequently Langobard duchy and the residence of Pipino, King of Italy in the Carolingian empire. In the eleventh century Verona became part of the March of Bavaria; in 1136 it became a free municipality. Verona was a papal see under Pope Lucio III (Ubaldo Allucignoli di Lucca) from 1181 to 1185, the year when the II conclave which elected Pope Urbano III was held. In 1405 Verona voluntarily annexed itself to Venezia, remaining under its government until 1796, when the Venetian Republic was invaded by Napoleon.

Frescos and paintings by Pisanello, Bellini, Mantegna, Paolo Veronese, the Roman theatre, the amphitheatre of the Arena, the Ponte Pietra, the Basilica of San Zena and that of San Fermo make Verona an important art city. The population of the Province is chiefly concentrated in the capital and its surroundings; Verona has in recent decades become a very important meeting point between northern and southern Europe for traffic both on wheels and on rails, and vaunts one of the most modern shipping transit ports on the European continent.

At the turn of the millennium Verona above all focuses on the farming and food industry and two traditional productions: art furniture and marble.

The Veronese shores of the Garda Lake, which cover 50 kilometres from Peschiera to Malcesine, is visited by millions of tourists during many months of the year, due to its excellent cultural initiatives, its famous baths and its exquisite wines and culinary specialities. The territory of the province also includes the Lessini and Valpolicella areas, known for the Recioto and Amarone wines, some of Italy's best.