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Porta Borsari was the main entrance to the ancient city on the decumanus maximus and was part of Verona's defensive walls, built during the Republican era, within the bend of the Adige River. In Roman times, the building was called Porta Iovia because of its proximity to the now-vanished temple of Jupiter Lustralis.
Its original structure was built in brick and was almost identical in type and layout to Porta Leoni, featuring a central courtyard, galleries on the upper floors, double arched porticoes on the façades and two sixteen-sided corner towers (diameter 7.40 metres).
During the reign of Emperor Claudius, the gate was decorated with two new façades made of local white stone.
What can be seen today is the western façade, while the brick building and the internal façade have been destroyed.
The façade with two arches is characterised by a theatrical style. Its articulation is based in the upper part on a series of elongated windows between semi-pillars and, in the lower part, on the interplay of openings framed between aedicules with tympanums in a symmetrical system, which also includes the two passage arches.
The inscription on the lintel commemorates the restoration of Verona's city walls by Emperor Gallienus in 265 AD, following the invasion of the Alamanni in the Po Valley.
The current name, dating back to the early Middle Ages, recalls the bursars who collected duties here.
