Porta Maggiore

The Porta Maggiore (it. larger Gate) is one of 18 major city gates of Rome.

Architectural History

Originally, the Porta Maggiore was a prominent part of an aqueduct. This led the lines of the Aqua Claudia ( lower tube ) and that of the Anio Novus (upper tube ) through the streets of Via and Via Labicana Praenestina. Was built in the later Porta Maggiore in the year 52 AD by order of Emperor Claudius, the Aqua Claudia was built to improve the water supply of Rome on.

End of the 3rd century AD, the Aurelian Wall was erected. Due to the appropriate speed in case construction of the wall were a number of existing structures, even the later Porta Maggiore, integrated, among others in this.

Name

Then they initially bore the name Porta Praenestina because this road leads towards the goal. However, in medieval times the gate was given its present name, which indicates the pilgrims that they, when they enter through this gate Rome, get on the fastest way to church Santa Maria Maggiore.

Today's meaning

The Porta Maggiore today forms the center of a larger, eponymous square in Rome, which is optically divided by the ruins of the Aurelian Wall. The place is a major hub and transfer point in the network of Roman tram. Especially here fall the vehicles of the connection Roma Laziali - Giardinetti on with their track gauge.