Porta San Sebastiano, City gate on Via Appia, Rome, Italy
Porta San Sebastiano is an ancient gateway on Rome's Via Appia, consisting of two tall cylindrical towers connected by walls with a central arched passage running through the center. Inside, the Museum of the Walls displays artifacts and information about the structure and design of Rome's ancient defensive walls.
Emperor Aurelian constructed the gate in 275 CE as a key component of his defensive wall system protecting the city. During the Middle Ages, it underwent several modifications that reflected its ongoing role as a military and administrative point.
The name honors Saint Sebastian, a figure whose veneration became closely tied to this location during medieval times. Visitors can observe how the gate functioned as a symbolic threshold to the city across different historical periods.
The gate is readily accessible from Via Appia and offers good views of its ancient construction from both sides. Plan adequate time to explore both the structure itself and the museum displays inside without feeling rushed.
Medieval stone carvings on the inner surfaces depict the Archangel Michael vanquishing a dragon, created during a period of local conflict. These artworks add another historical layer to the gate beyond its ancient origins.
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