Lion's Gate

Porta Leoni, one of the Roman gates of Verona, represents a fascinating fragment of the ancient splendor of the city. Located at the end of Via Cappello, near the famous House of Juliet, this gate dates back to the 1st century BC and is located along the cardo maximus, the main road axis that crossed the city from north to south. Originally built in bricks and volcanic tuff, Porta Leoni was later covered with a white stone facade during the 1st century AD, when Verona underwent a series of embellishments and renovations under the Roman Empire. The richly decorated white stone facade reflected the Roman architectural style with arches and twisted columns, giving the gate a majestic and imposing appearance. The name “Porta Leoni” comes from a Roman sarcophagus decorated with two lions, discovered nearby and now located behind the monument to Umberto I. During the Middle Ages, the gate was known as Porta San Fermo because of the nearby church of the same name, while in the Renaissance it was called Arco di Valerio. The original structure of the gate included a square plan with an inner courtyard and double facades with arches. It was 13 meters high, the same height as the city walls, and on the outer sides stood two polygonal towers, the foundations of which are still visible in the archaeological area under Via Leoni. The galleries on the upper floors, together with the towers, had numerous windows that allowed views of the outside. Over the centuries, Porta Leoni has undergone various changes. In the 13th century, part of the original facade was incorporated into a medieval palace, still visible today. Archaeological excavations carried out between 1958 and 1959 and subsequently between 1974 and 1981 have brought to light further remains of the gate, including fragments of the pavement of the inner courtyard and parts of the side walls.