The ancient Southern gate to the city and the entrance to the historic Contrada Antenore.
The door owes its name to the adjoining Pontecorvo bridge, an old Roman infrastructure with 3 arcades dating back to 120-130 AD which was then widened, respecting nonetheless the original layout of the wide-vaulted arches. It was called “Pons Curvus” because of its strong curve, which was necessary in order for the water from the canal not to invade the bridge, however the inhabitants had changed the Latin name, first into “corbo” and then into “corvo” (literally: crow), instead of “curvo” (curved).
Porta Pontecorvo is the best preserved one among the old doors. It was also known as Liviana in honour of Bartolomeo d’Alviano, who designed the city walls nearby, and as Legnaro or Piove because it opens onto the road leading to these two towns in the southern part of the province.
Here, as the legend goes, Saint Justine was arrested, and then martyred in Prato della Valle. It is told that when the Roman legionary stopped her at the entrance to the city, and realized she was a Christian, they asked her to abjure her faith. As an answer Justine kneeled down and started to pray. As soon as her knees met the stone, this became soft and the traces of her knees can still be seen. An aedicule still commemorates this event.
In Piazza Pontecorvo we find the entrance to the Treves Gardens, a beautiful instance of “English-style garden” in Padua, made on a project by Jappelli.