Porta Nuova was built between 1532 and 1540 according to the project of the architect Michele Sanmicheli and the General Captain of the Church Francesco Maria Della Rovere. Sanmicheli designed also Porta Palio and Porta San Zeno, examples of the Renaissance heritage of the city.
Unlike Porta Palio, which was built according to the Renaissance aesthetics, Porta Nuova had a strictly military function as it is shown by the walls and the pillars, thick enough to withstand the recoil of the guns and wide enough to allow them to be moved.
During the years Porta Nuova was modified several times due to its important position, on the main access road to the city.
The most significant change was made by the Austrians in 1854 in order to facilitate the transit: they opened a second arch on the right to enter the city and one on the left, just for the symmetry of the gate.
The two portals at the end of the internal façade lead to a tunnel, called “countermine”, which runs under the gate and under the streets, reaching the bastioni di SS. Trinità e dei Riformati.
