Porta dei Pispini, Medieval gate in Siena, Italy
Porta dei Pispini is a medieval gate set into Siena's eastern defensive wall, featuring twin passage openings beneath crenellated stonework. The structure displays the Gothic details characteristic of the city's fortified entrance points.
The gate was built in 1326 by architect Minuccio di Rinaldo and originally displayed a fresco by artist Sodoma. That fresco was later moved to the Basilica of San Francesco.
The gate marks the historical point where the relics of Sant'Ansano entered the city, leading to its initial name Porta San Viene.
The gate sits at the corner of Via Pispini and Via Aretina and is straightforward to reach when exploring the eastern side of the old city. The location makes it easy to walk around the nearby walls and view other medieval structures on foot.
Next to the main gate stands a small three-story fortress designed by Baldassarre Peruzzi between 1527 and 1532. This additional structure shows how the city continued to upgrade its defenses across different periods.
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