Porta Leoni

Overview

Porta Leoni is the remnant of a Roman city gate on the southeastern side of Verona, partially embedded within an 18th-century building. The exposed excavation below street level reveals the original Roman road surface and the gate's foundations.

Highlights

• Visible Layers: A glass-covered excavation shows the Roman street level about 2 meters below the modern pavement.
• Architectural Fragment: Half of the original double-arched gate protrudes from the adjacent building's wall.
• Urban Archaeology: One of the most vivid examples of Verona's Roman past hiding within the modern city.

History

Built in the 1st century BC as a monumental entrance on the Via Postumia, the gate originally had two arched passages flanked by towers. The name "Leoni" likely derives from a nearby Roman-era sarcophagus decorated with lion reliefs found in the area.

Visitor Tips

• Easy to miss: The site is on Via Leoni, a narrow side street — look for the glass-covered excavation at ground level.
• Combine with: Walk from here to Piazza delle Erbe along the Roman street axis.
• Duration: 10–15 minutes.