Porta Borsari Historical Timeline

Origins

The gate was the main western entrance to Roman Verona, on the decumanus maximus -- the town's principal east-west street. Corso Porta Borsari still follows that line, which is why the gate sits where it does rather than at the edge of anything.

Turning points

Its Roman name was probably Porta Iovia, after a temple of Jupiter nearby. The present name comes from the medieval bursarii, the officials who collected tolls from anyone bringing goods through it.

Influential people

In 265 AD the emperor Gallienus had Verona's walls rebuilt, and the inscription cut across the gate records it -- including the detail that it was finished in 259 days, which reads as a construction boast and probably was one.

Cultural evolution

The gate was absorbed into the medieval city rather than demolished. Buildings grew against it on both sides, which is much of why it survived: it became structure rather than monument.

Present-day significance

What stands is the inner facade. The passage, towers and courtyard behind it are gone, built over by the city that grew through the gate.