Doge's Palace, Venice
The Porta della Carta, was the grand entrance to the building. The gateway was built and decorated by Giovanni and Bartolomeo Bon from 1438–1442. The name Porta della Carta could be because this was the area where public scribes set up their desks, or from the cartabum, where all the important government documents were kept. On either side of the gateway are two gothic towers, with sculptures of the Cardinal Virtues.  On the top is a bust of Saint Mark, and over him is a statue of Justice with her symbols of sword and scales.  In the space above the cornice, there is a sculpture of the Doge Francesco Foscari kneeling before the St. Mark's Lion.  This was made in the 19th century by Luigi Ferrrari, to replace the original destroyed in 1797.