Porta Venere

Porta Venere is a Roman city gate in Spello featuring two symmetrical twelve-sided towers constructed with limestone blocks that flank a central passage with travertine arches. The structure displays typical Roman engineering with massive walls that once defined the western boundary of the ancient settlement.

The gate originates from the Augustan period and was part of the Roman fortification system protecting the settlement boundaries. Over time, sections were repaired and rebuilt, leaving traces of different construction phases visible in the structure today.

The gate was dedicated to the goddess Venus, reflecting Roman tradition of placing city entrances under divine protection, especially for travelers and merchants passing through.

The gate stands at the western edge of Spello and provides direct access to the old town through the preserved Roman walls. It is easily walkable from the surrounding area and serves as a good starting point to explore the medieval core and beyond.

The lower sections of the towers display different construction techniques compared to the upper rebuilt arches, revealing multiple repair phases across centuries. This layering of old and new craftsmanship makes the gate a valuable example of ancient preservation work.