Porta Diana, Etruscan city gate in Volterra, Italy
Porta Diana is an ancient city gate in Volterra featuring a distinctive stone tower with a pyramid-like shape, located at the northern edge of the settlement near the cemetery. The structure displays typical Etruscan fortification design with thick stonework and a narrow passage.
The gate was built between the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE as part of the Etruscan fortification system that protected ancient Volterra. The structure has survived centuries and still displays the original Etruscan building techniques.
The gate was dedicated to the goddess Diana and served as a key location for ceremonies in the ancient city. Visitors can observe how religious rituals shaped the way people used the city's architecture and layout.
The gate lies north of the city center and can be reached by walking paths from downtown Volterra. Parking is available near the cemetery, and the path to the site is flat and accessible for most visitors.
Excavations near the gate uncovered remains of a Roman amphitheater, showing that the area remained important after the Etruscan period. These archaeological discoveries make the site significant for understanding multiple periods of occupation.
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