Porta San Giovanni, Medieval city gate in San Gimignano, Italy.
Porta San Giovanni is a medieval city gate in San Gimignano featuring tall stone walls, two portals separated by an inner courtyard, and a crenellated roofline with defensive machicolations. The inner gatehouse rises higher than the outer structure and incorporates arrowslits for enhanced defense.
The gate was built between 1327 and 1328 by architects Agnolo di Ventura and Agostino di Giovanni. It served as a strategic control point along the town walls during the medieval period.
The gate displays a Roman Catholic IHS Christogram within a sun symbol, which drew pilgrims and believers through its passage over time. These religious symbols reflect its role as a sacred entrance to the town.
The gate can be reached on foot from the town center and opens onto the Via Cassia with access to local markets, restaurants, and nearby attractions. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as the paths through the old town are hilly.
A Madonna icon created by Taddeo di Bartolo in 1417 was once housed within the gate structure, showcasing the artistic importance of this passage. This work reveals how significant the entrance was to the town's spiritual identity.
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