Porta San Francesco, Medieval city gate in Volterra, Italy.

Porta San Francesco is a medieval gate structure in Volterra with a vaulted stone archway crowned by three crenellations. It forms part of the circuit of medieval walls that once protected the city.

Volterra built this gate in the 13th century when the city was expanding its defensive walls. It was originally known by different names before being called Porta San Francesco.

The interior of the gate still bears traces of old frescoes that show how art and military construction came together. Visitors can see these religious paintings today when passing through the archway.

The passage is easy to find and accessible when exploring Volterra's medieval walls. It is best to visit during daylight hours to see the details of the stonework and interior paintings clearly.

Of all Volterra's gates, Porta San Francesco is the only one that still keeps traces of frescoes on its inner arch. Corrado Ricci, in his work Volterra, called it the city's most grandiose gate, praising the bare elegance of its arch and its three rough merlons.