Porta del Popolo
The Porta del Popolo is a gate in the Aurelian Wall in Rome . It owes its name to the nearby church of Santa Maria del Popolo , while the original name Porta Flaminia comes from the Via Flaminia , which leaves the city at this point. The gate opens inwards to Piazza del Popolo and outwards to Piazzale Flaminio .
The original structure was built by Emperor Aurelian around 271–275 during the construction of the city wall. Under Sixtus IV , the formerly semicircular defense towers were converted into square ones. It is not clear whether the original structure was demolished and rebuilt or whether the towers were only clad in marble. The current gate is about one and a half meters higher than in ancient times and is a reconstruction from the 16th century. The design of the outside of the gate is attributed to Nanni di Baccio Bigio , who had received the commission from Pope Pius IV and who was inspired by the Arch of Titus in the design . On the outskirts of town, the gate is adorned with ancient columns and statues of Saints Peter and Paul . On the gate on the inside is above the coat of arms of the Medici Pope Pius IV. The coat of arms of Pope Alexander VII. , A star and six mountains. There are also inscriptions above the gate, one relating to the entry of Queen Christina of Sweden into Rome.
The inside of the gate was realized by Gian Lorenzo Bernini for Alexander VII on the occasion of Queen Christina of Sweden's visit to Rome, who passed through the gate on December 23, 1655.
In 1870 the two side towers were demolished. There are small arcades to the right and left of the gate. Between the Porta del Popolo and the Porta Pinciana ( Muro Torto or Murus Ruptus ) there are still remains of the city wall .
Opposite the gate is the 36.4 m high obelisk from 10 BC. Chr.
During a restoration in 1879, defense towers from the 16th century, which Pope Sixtus IV had built, were demolished.
Inscriptions
The following inscriptions are placed on the outside of the gate:
| Left panel | Central table | Right panel |
|---|---|---|
|
ANNO MDCCCLXXIX
RESTITVAE LIBERTATIS X TVRRIBVS VTRINQVE DELETIS FRONS PRODVCTA INSTAVRATAT |
PIUS III PONT MAX
PORTAM IN HANC AMPLI TVDINEM EXTVLIT VIAM FLAMINIAM STRAVIT ANNO III |
SPQR
VRBE ITALIAE INDICATA INCOLIS FELICITER AVCTIS GEMINOS FORNICES CONDIDITT |
The inside bears the following inscription in the middle:
FELICI FAUSTOQ INGRESSUI
ANNO DOM MDCLV
To a happy and blessed entry into
the year of the Lord 1655
Individual evidence
- ↑ Klaus Bartels : Rome's speaking stones. Cape. 6.6, Zabern, Mainz 2004, 4th edition, ISBN 3-8053-2690-4
Web links
- Overview at LacusCurtius
- www.romeartlover.it (Engl.)
Coordinates: 41 ° 54 ′ 41.5 ″ N , 12 ° 28 ′ 33.5 ″ E