The Gavi Arch, or Arco dei Gavi, is a first-century Roman monument beside Castelvecchio in Verona. Built from pale local stone, its single passage is framed by slender columns and shallow niches. Its modest scale makes it easy to miss, but a closer look reveals an elegant piece of Roman architecture in the heart of the city.
Unlike a triumphal arch celebrating an emperor or military victory, it honoured the Gavii, a prominent local family. An inscription also names its architect, Lucius Vitruvius Cerdo, an unusual survival from the Roman world. The arch originally stood over the Via Postumia, an important road into ancient Verona. Dismantled in 1805 during the Napoleonic period, it was reconstructed near its original site in 1932.
The arch is worth a stop for the contrast between its Roman stonework and the medieval brick of neighbouring Castelvecchio. It also makes an easy addition to a walk taking in the Ponte Scaligero and Verona Arena. Low morning or evening light brings out the details in the stone, making it a rewarding subject for photographs.
The monument is outdoors, free to view and accessible at any time. It is roughly a 10- to 15-minute walk from the Arena; visit in the morning for a quieter look, particularly during the summer opera season. A busy road runs nearby, so watch for traffic when crossing or stepping back to take a photograph.