Porta Marzia (Marzia Gate), Perugia

The Marzia Gate (Porta Marzia), an ancient Etruscan city gate in Perugia, stands as a fascinating blend of history, architecture, and mythology. Originally constructed in the 3rd century BC, it served as the southern access point to the Etruscan city walls, connecting Perugia to Amerina Street, a vital route that strengthened ties with Rome.

The gate's design showcases the grandeur of travertine masonry. Its round arch, flanked by pilasters adorned with central rosette capitals, supports a balustrade featuring five sandstone sculptures. Central among these is Jupiter (Tinia in Etruscan), flanked by the Dioscuri, Castor, and Pollux, protectors of the city, along with their respective horses. The architrave bears the inscriptions “Augusta Perusia” and “Colonia Vibia”, commemorating the city’s colonial status granted by Emperor Vibius Trebonianus Gallus, a Perugian native. Smaller sculpted heads, possibly representing guardian deities, adorn the triangular spaces near the arch.

In 1540, Pope Paul III commissioned the construction of the Rocca Paolina, a massive fortress designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, which required the dismantling and relocation of Marzia Gate. Sangallo ingeniously preserved the gate by embedding its upper portion into the fortress walls, just 4 meters from its original location. The gate’s decorative elements were transformed into a monumental feature of the fortress, while its original jambs remain in situ, now integrated into the heavily fortified access area.

Today, the Marzia Gate stands as a symbolic gateway rather than a defensive structure. It welcomes visitors into the underground medieval district of Perugia, accessible via Bagliona Street. The Rocca Paolina’s underground areas, recovered in 1965, serve as exhibition spaces and a museum, offering insights into Perugia's layered history.