Porta del Popolo

The origins of the Porta del Popolo date back to the time of Emperor Aurelian, who had the gate built between 271 and 275 AD as part of the Roman city wall. In the 15th century, under Pope Sixtus IV, the originally semicircular defense towers were replaced by square ones. The gate's current appearance, which stands approximately one and a half meters above the ancient level, is the result of a 16th-century reconstruction. The exterior was designed by Nanni di Baccio Bigio on behalf of Pope Pius IV, drawing inspiration from the Arch of Titus.