Porta del Popolo

The Porta del Popolo is a gate in the Aurelian Walls in Rome. It owes its name to the nearby church of Santa Maria del Popolo, while the original name of Porta Flaminia comes from the Via Flaminia, which leaves at this point the city. The door opens inwards to Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Flaminia towards the outside.

The original building was built by the Emperor Aurelian about 271-275 in the course of construction of the city wall. Under Sixtus IV, the formerly semi-circular defensive towers were converted into square. ( It is not clear whether the original building was demolished and rebuilt or whether the towers were covered with marble. ) Today's Gate is about five feet higher than it was in ancient times and is a reconstruction of the 16th century. The design of the exterior of the door is Nanni di Baccio Bigio attributed, who had received the order to do so by Pope Pius IV and was inspired by the Arch of Titus in the design. Out of town the gate with antique columns and statues of Saints Peter and Paul is decorated. At the gate on the inside is above the coat of arms of Pope Pius IV Medici coat of arms of Pope Alexander VII, a star and six mountains. Above the gate inscriptions are also available, one refers to the collection of Queen Christina of Sweden in Rome.

The inside of the door was for Alexander VII on the occasion of the visit of Queen Christina of Sweden in Rome, which passed through the gate at December 23, 1655, built by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

1870, the two side towers were demolished. Right and left of the door there are small arcades. Between the Porta del Popolo and the Porta Pinciana ( Muro Torto and also Murus ruptus ) are still remains of the wall exists.

Compared with the goal there is a 36.4 m high obelisk from the year 10 BC

In a restoration in 1879, defense towers were demolished in the 16th century by Pope Sixtus IV had had to create.

Inscriptions

On the outside of the door are mounted following inscriptions:

RESTITVAE Libertatis X

TVRRIBVS VTRINQVE DELETIS

Portam IN AMPLI HANC

TVDINEM EXTVLIT

VIAM FLAMINIAM

VRBE italiae indicata

INCOLIS féliciter AVCTIS

On the inside center following inscription is inscribed:

FELICI FAUSTOQ INGRESSUI

ANNO DOM MDCLV

To happy and blessed catchment in the year of our Lord 1655

Swell

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