Antiporto di Camollia, Medieval fortification and city gate in northern Siena, Italy.
The Antiporto di Camollia is a medieval fortification and city gate in northern Siena featuring three connected arches. A marble bas-relief with the IHS Christogram within a sun symbol decorates the inner arch of the passage.
Built in 1270, the structure served as an additional defensive point along the Via Francigena protecting the northern entrance to Siena. In 1604, Alessandro Casolani added a stone arch on the outer facade and had it decorated by Domenico Cafaggi.
The gate bears an inscription stating "Cor magis tibi sena pandit," meaning Siena opens its heart wider than this entrance. The words reflect the welcoming spirit that visitors feel upon arriving at the city.
The gate stands at the beginning of Viale Vittorio Emanuele II and serves as a reference point for visitors exploring the northern district. The structure is easy to access and there is plenty of room to view the decorations from different angles.
The outer facade displays the Medici heraldic shield, a sign of the historical connection between the powerful family and this city structure. This coat of arms serves as a reminder of how closely the political power struggles of the time were woven into the architecture.
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