Girolamo Fracastoro's statue
An ancient statue (1559) dedicated to Fracastoro is standing on a beautiful arch in the central Piazza dei Signori, in Verona, just behind the monument to Dante Alighieri. On the basement, the following inscription can be read: "HIER FRACASTORIO \ PAULLI PHILIPPI F \ EX PUBLICA AUCTORITATE \ DICATA \ AN SAL MDLIX". According to a popular legend the stone ball Fracastoro keeps in his right hand, symbolizing the world, will fall on the first honourable person walking under the arch. As a matter of fact, many hundreds of people pass every day under the arch but the ball, after more then four Centuries, still remains in its place.