City walls

Porta Palio was built between 1550 and 1561 under the direction of the architect and engineer Michele Sanmicheli, who could never see the whole work, as he died in 1559.

He designed Porta Nuova and Porta San Zeno as well, examples of the Renaissance cultural heritage of the city.

He hardly tried to combine the war necessities with an evident Renaissance architectural style. The Doric style gives a sense of strength, while the Roman greatness is suggested by constituent and ornamental classical elements.

The Gate was built on the place of the Medieval “Porta del Palio” which used to be called “stupa” by the Veronese people. The Gate used to be open only on occasion of the “palio del drappo verde”, an event consisting of two speed races: one for the horses and one for the runners. The winning runner was awarded a 12 metres green banner (palio).

The facçades of the Gate are different from each other. The façade on the side of the city is unadorned, while the other one, facing outward, is more elaborate and embellished: it welcomes all those coming from outside, leading them towards the “heart” of the Veronese classical age, along the Roman Via Postumia.

Here along there are the Arco dei Gavi (Gavi Arch), the Porta Borsari and finally Piazza delle Erbe, where originally was the Roman Forum.