Porta Altinate, Medieval city gate in Padua, Italy
Porta Altinate is a city gate in Padua with a stone arch design and a brick tower rising above, marking access to the historic city center. The structure stands at the intersection of Via Roma and Via Altinate, forming a key junction with surrounding squares for visitors and residents.
The gate was originally built in the 12th century and was reconstructed in 1286 after crusaders destroyed it during conflicts with Ezzelino III da Romano. This rebuilding phase shows the gate's strategic importance for Padua during medieval power struggles.
The gate takes its name from the ancient Via Emilia-Altinate, a major route that connected Bologna to the Roman city of Aquileia. Its position along this historical road shows how long this spot has guided people and goods through the city.
The gate is easy to reach and sits at a busy street corner leading toward Piazza Garibaldi and the main shopping district of Padua. The location makes it simple to explore the area on foot, as you can head directly into different parts of the old city from here.
Next to the gate stands a monument to Alvise Pisani featuring a St. Mark's Lion carved during the Napoleonic period. This lion figure is a work symbolizing Venetian rule in Padua that visitors often walk past without noticing.
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