Porta Camollia, Siena, Medieval city gate in Siena, Italy
Porta Camollia is a substantial stone gate with three arches positioned at the northern edge of Siena's medieval walls. The innermost arch displays a marble bas-relief featuring the IHS Christogram encircled by a sun, accompanied by a large Latin inscription above.
The original 13th-century gate was demolished during Siena's 1555 siege and rebuilt in 1604 as the structure visitors see today. This reconstruction reflects how Renaissance military strategies shaped the city's defenses during a period of significant change.
The Latin inscription 'Cor magis tibi sena pandit' carved above the gate reveals how the city saw itself, suggesting that Siena's heart extends far beyond the walls. This message tells us what the people valued and wanted travelers to understand about their community.
The gate sits at the northern end of Via Camollia and provides entry to the historic center through an opening in the medieval walls. Visitors should know the area around the gate itself is easily walkable, though the old town beyond contains many stairs and uneven streets.
Some 40 meters outside the main gate stood the Antiporto di Camollia, an outer fortified outpost designed to protect the important pilgrim route Via Francigena. This additional defense line demonstrates how critical this passage was to the city's security and commerce.
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