Porta San Tommaso, Renaissance city gate in Treviso, Italy.
Porta San Tommaso is the northern entrance gate of Treviso, featuring robust stone construction with Latin inscriptions on both sides of its central arch. The structure displays typical Renaissance architectural elements with a prominent vaulted opening that accommodates foot traffic and carts.
Paolo Nani designed this gate in the early 1500s, with construction carried out by Gugliemo D'Alzano from Bergamo. The project emerged during Venetian rule and reflects the period's city expansion and fortification efforts.
The gate displays two different inscriptions: Venetian dialect on the outer face for countryside residents and Latin on the inner face for city nobility. This dual messaging reflected the different audiences who passed through daily.
You can reach the gate by following the medieval city walls that encircle the historical center of Treviso. Access is straightforward, and walking along the walls offers a pleasant circuit through the old town.
Although the gate was dedicated to Saint Thomas Becket by Venetian authorities, a statue of Saint Paul stands at its top due to architect Paolo Nani's personal choice. This unexpected dedication makes the monument a curious puzzle of local history.
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