The house said to be Juliet's in Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet has reopened to the public after massive cleaning. Years of graffiti were scrubbed off the walls and balcony. New bulletin boards were installed for lovers' notes.

Although Juliet is a fictional character and Verona may not have been the setting, tourists flock to Casa de Giulietta. ANSA news quotes a Verona city council official, "It's now the second most visited site in Italy after the Vatican Museums." The house's most photographed attraction is the balcony and visitors rub the right breast of Juliet's statue for luck.

See Europe Travel's pictures of Verona and Verona Travel Essentials. Verona is on our Milan to Venice Suggested Itinerary. Romantic Verona is a popular Valentine's day destination. Here are more Romantic Places in Italy.