Originally, the structure was topped by the Lion of Saint Mark, the symbol of the Republic of Venice. The statue was destroyed by Napoleon’s troops following the Treaty of Campo Formio (1797), as a gesture marking the end of Venetian rule. The lion was reinstated only in 2019, restoring the gate’s original symbolic appearance.
On the entablature, a Latin inscription is still visible: “Disce haec moneat praecelsa leonis imago ne stimules veneti ceu leo in hoste vigent”, which translates as: “Let this noble image of the lion warn you not to provoke the Venetians, for they face their enemies with the strength of a lion.” The inscription reflects the strong identity and military pride of the Venetian Republic.
Today, Porta Verona is not only a historic gateway to the city but also one of its most recognisable symbols, preserving the legacy of Peschiera del Garda’s fortified Venetian past.
