Juliet's Christmas tree

I haven't posted any Christmas trees this year but I do have a few nice pics and this is one of them. This is certainly the most unusual of Christmas trees and it couldn't have been more appropriate! Love notes and letters decorate the tree below Juliet's balcony.

Juliet's pilgrims

Photo taken on the third floor of Juliet's House.

The Myth - Marc Quinn

This morning I finally went to visit Il Mito, Marc Quinn's exhibition at Juliet's house. 

I wasn't allowed to take photographs and this was so frustrating! After my visit, though, I stepped up to a terrace (I will post about this in the next days) right in front of the famous balcony and there I snapped this photo where you can see at least a tiny bit: the marble sculpture of Thomas Beattie pregnant (interesenting story, he was a woman, became a man, then became pregnant) which is quite a striking one. The exhibition was stunning, displaying some of the most beautiful and famous artworks (including the solid gold "Siren", Kate Moss doing yoga, worth of $2.7 million), by Quinn, leading Young British Art fellow. Set against an outstanding medieval building with amazing fireplaces, frescoes and beautiful views over the rooftops.

And then I saw it. What? Remember when I posted about the Juliet's house's entrance hall and the Love graffitis? In that occasion I threw the idea of installing panels to exhibit later when they would be covered by names, hearts, poems of lovers from all over the world. Well, obviously Quinn and I had the same idea...he called the panel Love Paintings...  Aaaarghhh!!

Juliet's house and love messages

This place is surely the most visited spot in town. It's nonetheless than Juliet's house (and balcony, yes). Shakespeare's drama Romeo and Juliet was set in Verona. Some hundreds meters from here there is Romeo's home (which is private. Wow, can you imagine saying I live in Romeo's house?!?!).
This little courtyard is incessantly crowded. Can you see the bronze statue of Juliet, a bit darkened by the leaves above her? People queue to go and touch Juliet's right breast, in fact it is so polished that it shines. The gesture is meant to bring good luck in love!

What you see on the left is the final part of the arched corridor that opens on Via Cappello. It may be five meters long and the walls are covered by felt tip names and hearts and dates... Being the walls a total thick graffiti, people started attaching notes to it. Worst thing is: they stick them with bubble gums! EEwwh! A permanent problem for the town council: how cope with this...issue. I think once in a while they paint them white and it all starts again...