Porta del Leone, Medieval city gate in Pisa, Italy

Porta del Leone is a 12th-century city gate in Pisa, set in a small widening of the piazza del Duomo beyond the Camposanto. It was one of the city's two ceremonial gates, the other being the Porta del Parlascio, and it led directly to the religious centre of Pisa. A marble lion, probably of Etruscan origin, stands outside in a niche.

The gate dates to the 12th century and was one of Pisa's two ceremonial gates, the other being the Porta del Parlascio, used by the city's most prominent figures. It led directly to the religious centre of Pisa. Under Florentine rule the marble lion was moved onto the walls facing inward, and the Jewish community was allowed to build its cemetery just outside, blocking the passage; the Florentines then opened Porta Nuova.

The name comes from a marble lion of probable Etruscan origin, set in a niche on the gate's exterior as a protector of Pisa. Under Florentine rule the lion was moved onto the walls facing into the city, so that it seemed to watch over the Pisans rather than guard them.

The gate stands in a small widening of Piazza del Duomo, past the Camposanto. The Jewish cemetery built just outside it blocked the passage, so the Florentines opened Porta Nuova as the new access to the square; look for that gate when orienting yourself between the two.

The marble lion that gave the gate its name is probably of Etruscan origin and stood outside in a niche as a protector of the city. Under Florentine rule it was moved onto the walls facing inward, so that it seemed to watch over Pisa rather than guard it.