Porta San Zeno

Porta San Zeno was built in 1542 under the direction of Michele Sanmicheli  who was also the designer of Porta Nuova and Porta Palio examples of the Renaissance heritage of the city.

Probably due to economic reasons, this is a rather simple construction, with a limited use of stone combined with large painted parts made of bricks. 

It has a square plan, articulated on a wide central hall, with a side walkway and a space for the military guard.

The planning of the Gate was rather hurried and low cost, reproducing a design already used by Sanmicheli for Porta Zara, in Dalmazia.

For almost 35 years Porta San Zeno has hosted the “Bacanal del Gnoco”, the traditional Veronese Carnival. Thanks to restoration works, made by the “Bacanal”, many internal rooms were saved from negligence and atmospheric agents.