Pusterla di Sant'Ambrogio, Medieval city gate near Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, Milan, Italy.
Description
Pusterla di Sant'Ambrogio is a preserved medieval city gate in Milan built with two pedestrian arches and a Romanesque tower. The structure stands near the basilica and displays the features of its original medieval construction that have lasted to today.
History
The gate was built in 1171 after Frederick I Barbarossa destroyed Milan, serving as a secondary entrance to the city. During Spanish rule in the 16th century, it was converted into a prison and kept this function for extended periods.
Culture
The name refers to a small opening that once allowed pedestrians to pass through the medieval walls. The tabernacle with sculptures of local saints shows how the gate served as a spiritual landmark for the city's people.
Practical
The gate stands just west of the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio and is easy to reach on foot from the basilica entrance. Its location in the city center makes it accessible and provides direct entry into Milan's medieval quarters nearby.
Did you know?
Architect Gino Chierici undertook a major restoration in 1939, removing later additions to recover the original structure underneath. This work reveals how the tower and arches were reconstructed in their medieval form to preserve what the gate once looked like.
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