Porta Maggiore, Roman city gate in Esquilino district, Italy
Porta Maggiore is a Roman city gate in the Esquilino district, where two large travertine arches once carried major roads out of the city. The upper levels show visible channels that transported water across the roadways below.
The emperor had the structure built around the middle of the first century to carry two aqueducts above the roads. Later it was incorporated into the city walls constructed in the third century to protect the capital.
The name comes from the two major roads that pass through the gate and once led to regions southeast of the city. Today, modern trams cross the square in front of the structure while pedestrians can view the stone arches up close.
The gate stands at a busy crossroads with heavy traffic, so care is needed when crossing the street. The best view comes from the sidewalk, where you can study the inscriptions and the structure of the arches at your own pace.
Below the square nearby lies an underground hall from the first century, decorated with white stucco work. This worship site belonged to a philosophical community and remained hidden for centuries.
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