The whale rib hanging under the Arco della Costa is believed by local tradition to drop onto the first 'just man' who passes beneath it, though it has remained fixed for centuries.
The Loggia del Consiglio, located on the square, is considered one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in northern Italy.
The square served as the administrative headquarters for the Scaliger family, the lords of Verona, during the 13th and 14th centuries.
Dante Alighieri took refuge in Verona under the protection of Cangrande I della Scala after his exile from Florence, which is why the square is frequently called Piazza Dante.
The Palazzo della Ragione contains the Torre dei Lamberti, a medieval bell tower accessible from the square's inner courtyard.
Piazza dei Signori, also known as Piazza Dante, serves as the historic political and administrative heart of Verona. The square is enclosed by a series of monumental buildings, including the Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo della Ragione, and the Loggia del Consiglio. A prominent white marble statue of Dante Alighieri, sculpted by Ugo Zannoni in 1865, dominates the center of the piazza to commemorate the poet's exile in Verona. The adjacent Arco della Costa features a whale rib hanging from the ceiling, a mysterious artifact dating back to at least the 18th century. Architectural styles represented around the perimeter range from Romanesque to Venetian Gothic and Renaissance. Historically, this square functioned as the city's power center during the Scaligeri era. It remains a public thoroughfare connecting the city's major historical sites. It is currently open to the public and functions as a pedestrianized plaza.
Position yourself near the Dante statue to capture the surrounding historic loggias in a single frame.
Visit the adjacent Cortile del Mercato Vecchio to see the external staircase of the Palazzo della Ragione.
Look up while walking through the Arco della Costa to spot the suspended whale rib.
Combine your visit with the nearby Arche Scaligere, which are located just a short walk away.
Dining at the restaurants directly on the square, which are often priced for tourists; walk a few streets away for more authentic options.
