Located in the south-eastern border of the historic center of the city, the arch marks the beginning of one of the routes climbing to the sanctuary of St. Mary of Monte Berico (built in the early 15th century).

That was the only point of access from the city to the sanctuary before the building of the arcades by Francesco Muttoni in the mid-18th century.

The date of construction, set to 1595 (15 years after Palladio's death), is certain, like the identity of the patron, the Venetian captain Giacomo Bragadin.

There are documented demands of the monks of the sanctuary, dating from 1574-1576, asking the community for financial support for the restoration of the entire path of stairs, but there is no evidence that the arch was included in the general renewal process, which involved the sanctuary itself.

17th century images shows the niches in the front of the arch, then moved in the intrados to host the statues of the Annunciation by Orazio Marinali.