Porta Romana (Roman Gate), Florence
Roman Gate (Porta Romana) is a historic gate in Florence, originally known as Porta San Pier Gattolino. It was the southern entrance in the city's 13th-century walls and is located at the intersection of Via Romana, Via de' Serragli, and Viale Francesco Petrarca. The gate provided easy access to the Pitti Palace and served as a starting point for roads leading to Siena and Rome. Despite the demolition of most defensive walls in the 19th century, Porta Romana, along with a few other gates, survived.
Built in 1327, the Roman Gate had a lower outer wall and a small courtyard, resembling the Porta Romana of Siena. The gate featured a central entrance for carriages and smaller doors for pedestrians. It still retains its original iron-clad doors and showcases a weather-worn fresco from the 13th century depicting the Virgin and saints. Inside, two marble plaques commemorate the visits of Pope Leo X and Emperor Charles V.
During the expansion of Florence's walls, the original church of San Pier Gattolino was demolished. It was later rebuilt and restored in 1808, adorned with frescoes by Giuseppe Castagnoli and Domenico Del Podestà. The church is also known as the parish church of Serumido, named after Ser Umido di Domenico Grazzini, a benefactor. Adjacent to Roman Gate is the church and convent of San Giusto della Calza, a 14th-century structure associated with the Knights of Jerusalem.
In the square outside the gate, a controversial modern marble statue named "Dietro-Front" ("Turnabout") by artist Michelangelo Pistoletto has sparked discussions among art enthusiasts and the public.
Built in 1327, the Roman Gate had a lower outer wall and a small courtyard, resembling the Porta Romana of Siena. The gate featured a central entrance for carriages and smaller doors for pedestrians. It still retains its original iron-clad doors and showcases a weather-worn fresco from the 13th century depicting the Virgin and saints. Inside, two marble plaques commemorate the visits of Pope Leo X and Emperor Charles V.
During the expansion of Florence's walls, the original church of San Pier Gattolino was demolished. It was later rebuilt and restored in 1808, adorned with frescoes by Giuseppe Castagnoli and Domenico Del Podestà. The church is also known as the parish church of Serumido, named after Ser Umido di Domenico Grazzini, a benefactor. Adjacent to Roman Gate is the church and convent of San Giusto della Calza, a 14th-century structure associated with the Knights of Jerusalem.
In the square outside the gate, a controversial modern marble statue named "Dietro-Front" ("Turnabout") by artist Michelangelo Pistoletto has sparked discussions among art enthusiasts and the public.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Porta Romana (Roman Gate) on Map
Sight Name: Porta Romana (Roman Gate)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Walking Tours in Florence, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Florence
Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Florence Food Tour
Food is one of the great Florentine passions, and the great thing about having a delicious authentic Tuscan meal, a snack, delicatessen, or a quality gelato here – besides the abundant variety – is not having to spend a lot of money for it.
In general, the “osterias” and the eateries nestled in Sant’Ambrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
In general, the “osterias” and the eateries nestled in Sant’Ambrogio Market will offer cheaper and more casual food with an emphasis on home... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Medici Landmarks Walking Tour
The Medici family helped to establish Florence as the single most important art capital of Renaissance Europe. In order to prove wealth and power, they built numerous palaces, libraries, churches, chapels and personal residences. The Medicis were big lovers of art and they acquired huge, expensive collections, as well as supporting many sculptors and painters of the time.
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour
Michelangelo spent over 20 years of his life in Florence – the birthplace of the Renaissance – during which time he created some of the most beautiful masterpieces the city had ever seen. The most famous of them – the David – was larger than life, and brought a larger-than-life image to the artist. No amount of photos or copies of the statue will do it justice, so to see it with your own... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Dante's Florence Walking Tour
Dante Alighieri was arguably the greatest – albeit also most controversial – of Italy's poets. After having served as one of the six priors governing Florence, his political activities – including the banishing of several rivals – led to his own banishment, upon which he wrote his masterpiece, “The Divine Comedy”, as a wanderer, seeking protection for his family in one town after... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Florence's Hidden Art Treasures
The “Cradle of the Renaissance,” Florence is one of Europe’s most beautiful and busiest destinations, home to some of the world's greatest pieces of art and architecture. The iconic masters like Giotto, Botticelli, Raphael and Michelangelo, as well as their somewhat less-known but equally talented counterparts, such as Ghirlandaio, Sangallo and Castagno, have blessed this city with... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Duomo Walking Tour
Located in the very heart of historic Florence, the Duomo area is deservedly considered the city’s religious and civic center, replete with numerous landmarks. Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, the two most important squares in the city, are steeped in history and the sights and activities found here are truly endless.
The most prominent of these, undoubtedly, is the breathtaking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
The most prominent of these, undoubtedly, is the breathtaking... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
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