Porta San Pellegrino, Border crossing and city gate next to Bernini's Colonnade, Vatican City.
Porta San Pellegrino is a city gate beside Bernini's Colonnade that forms part of Vatican City's outer walls. It features stone construction with distinctive architectural details reflecting its historical role.
Pope Alexander VI commissioned the gate's reconstruction in 1492 and placed his coat of arms at the structure's top. It was built as part of fortifications designed to protect the expanding settlement.
The gate marks the boundary between Vatican City's religious center and Rome's urban landscape, serving as a daily crossing point for pilgrims and visitors.
The gate is easily accessible and sits directly beside the well-known Colonnade, making it simple to locate during a visit. Nearby facilities including showers and a barbershop operate daily for visitor convenience.
The gate functions daily as a genuine international border crossing between two sovereign states, despite sitting in the middle of the city. Visitors can walk directly between Rome and Vatican City without encountering formal checkpoint procedures.
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