Porta dei Vacca, Medieval city gate in Genoa, Italy.
Porta dei Vacca is a medieval city gate in Genoa with two round towers connected by a pointed arch. Both towers display crenellations at the top, a style typical of medieval fortifications.
The gate was built in 1155 as part of the Barbarossa walls and took its name from the Vachero family, who owned numerous buildings in the surrounding area. This family was important to how the neighborhood developed around the gate.
The interior passage displays carved capitals on paired columns that show how medieval craftspeople worked in this region. You can see these details today when you walk through and look at the stonework above your head.
The gate is located in the old town and is easy to reach on foot from other attractions like the Doge's Palace. The area is somewhat hilly, so wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore the surrounding streets.
The tower on the mountain side was integrated into Palazzo Serra during the 18th century and is only visible from outside today. The tower on the sea side regained its visible form through restoration work in 1960.
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