Arco dei Gavi – a Roman monument between family memory and classical beauty

History and description

Located next to Castelvecchio, along Corso Cavour, the Arco dei Gavi is one of the most famous Roman monuments in Verona. It was built in the 1st century AD by the noble gens Gavia, a patrician Roman family residing in Verona, as an honorary arch dedicated to themselves—an unusual feature in ancient Roman architecture, since arches were usually erected in honor of emperors or victorious generals.

The monument, made of white stone from Valpolicella, was designed by Lucius Vitruvius Cerdo, whose name is inscribed on the structure itself. Its style is classical and harmonious, with a single archway decorated with Corinthian half‑columns and richly carved cornices. In the Middle Ages, the arch was incorporated into the city walls and transformed into a gateway. Later, in 1805, it was dismantled by order of Napoleon, who considered it an obstacle to traffic, and the numbered blocks were stored in the courtyard of the Museo Lapidario Maffeiano. Only in 1932, thanks to a philological reconstruction, was the arch rebuilt and relocated a few meters away from its original site, next to the Ponte Scaligero. Today, it stands as one of the most important examples of honorary Roman architecture in northern Italy, a symbol of Verona’s classical heritage.

Curiosities

The arch was long mistaken for a medieval structure, due to its integration into the defensive walls, until the 19th century. It has been included in the list of Italian monumental heritage since that time.

Access

The arch is always accessible, as it is part of Verona’s public urban space.

How to reach it

Located in Piazzetta Castelvecchio, on Corso Cavour, just a few steps from the historic center and the Arena, the monument is easily reachable by car (exit Verona Sud from the A4 motorway), by bus, or on foot from Verona Porta Nuova station.

A witness of Roman Verona and a symbol of historical continuity, the Arco dei Gavi fascinates with its elegance, sobriety, and the mystery of a family that wished to carve its memory into stone.

Photo credits: Claconvr (Wikipedia) - Licensed by CC 4.0