Reveal BETA
The Squint-eyed Gateway of Padua: Porta Liviana - A Tale of Deceit and Misnomer

The Squint-eyed Gateway of Padua: Porta Liviana - A Tale of Deceit and Misnomer

#Urban legends #Offbeat history #Toponyms
Nicolo Ciampini Nicolo Ciampini

Suspended in the maze of fifteenth-century Padua's fortifications, Porta Liviana – locally known as Porta Ponte Corvo – took the name Liviana in praise of Bartolomeo, the military strategist. Yet, its true origins hide in a perpetual veil of mystery, with some whispering of Roman crow-led naval onslaughts, while others claim it's got roots in its arched water drainage design. The twist: Porta Aponte Liviana doesn't share its name's air of leanness

In the heart of the medieval cityscape of Padua, Porta Liviana, alias Porta Ponte Corvo, was christened Liviana in honor of Bartolomeo d'Alviano, the shrewd strategist that designed the city's defenses. Yet, the origins of Porta Ponte Corvo dance in a dazzling dance of uncertainties. Some say it's a homage to the Romans and their spectacle of crow-led sea raids, while others are adamant that its name finds its roots in the bridge's crooked arc designed for water channeling. Ironic, isn't it? The hefty Porta Aponte Liviana doesn't give off the slightest hint of its namesake's slenderness.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Nicolo Ciampini

Discuss this with the author and others

No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation.