20. Porta Verona

Discover Porta Verona and the Venetian Legacy in Peschiera del Garda: between Majestic Architecture, Lost Symbols, and the Contrast between History and Modernity

As you enter the archway of the gate, walk about ten meters toward the outside, where you can stop to observe a very significant detail of Porta Verona.

Turn your gaze toward the imposing outer façade of Porta Verona in Peschiera del Garda. It is characterized by solemn and well-preserved architectural elements. At the center of the façade once stood the effigy of the Venetian Lion of Saint Mark, the symbol of the Serenissima Republic of Venice. This stone sculpture represented Venetian authority and prestige throughout the fortress area. However, it was destroyed by Napoleon after the Treaty of Campoformio in 1797, as a deliberate act of political defiance. Its removal marked a symbolic break from the Venetian past.

To help visitors imagine the original appearance of the gate, a highly detailed visual reconstruction has been created.

This reconstruction is positioned at the beginning of the bridge, clearly visible to those approaching the fortress. It shows how the entire monumental structure must have looked, with the lion in the center and the decorative elements on either side.

Now, as you re-enter the town through Porta Verona, keep to the right to continue along the historical route. Here, you will come across Parco Catullo, a green area that offers a moment of rest and tranquility. Next to the park stands Caserma Francesco I, built in 1822, an imposing example of neoclassical architecture.

Today, the building houses the Italian State Police School, yet it still retains the grandeur of 19th-century military architecture. The contrast between the ancient fortifications and the modern spaces makes this area a fascinating part of the visit.