For centuries, the tragic love of Romeo and Juliet has drawn travelers to Verona. Yet the place that should symbolize romance is now overwhelmed by the sheer volume of visitors. The so-called Juliet’s House on Via Cappello - an early-20th-century creation built to give tourists a physical setting for Shakespeare’s tale - has become the epicenter of an overtourism crisis.

During the recent holiday weekend, crowds from every continent poured into the narrow streets, paralyzing traffic and flooding the historic center. The new access rules introduced by the city - an entry fee of 12 euros, strict quotas, and timed visits allowing only a one-minute selfie on the balcony - triggered frustration and hours-long queues. Only 1,460 visitors are admitted per day, and even inside, rooms can host no more than 45 people at a time.

The response was chaotic: shopkeepers complained of full stores but empty registers, tourists were turned away without warning once online tickets sold out, and many tried to slip through souvenir shops that open onto the courtyard. Security struggled to contain the crowds, while guides criticized the city for announcing the changes barely two days in advance.

Faced with mounting anger, the municipality is considering a partial rollback: reopening a rear access route, lifting some restrictions on the courtyard, or replacing the full ticket with a token fee. Meanwhile, the site continues to be strained by thousands intent on touching the bronze statue of Juliet, snapping a quick photo, or leaving a love note.

The city that made a legend its calling card now has to decide how to protect both residents and visitors, before its most celebrated symbol becomes a victim of its own fame.