Porta Romana is a southeastern portals in the medieval

walls of Viterbo The Walls of Viterbo, in Viterbo, Italy, developed over centuries, but much of these circumscribing, defensive medieval structures still exists, and their entrance gates, often modernized, still limit the access at certain sites. History While it ...

. The merlionated gate, with

Baroque The Baroque ( , , ) is a Western Style (visual arts), style of Baroque architecture, architecture, Baroque music, music, Baroque dance, dance, Baroque painting, painting, Baroque sculpture, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished from ...

decoration is located on at exit point of Via Garibaldi, where it meets highway SS2 as it skirts the historic center of

Viterbo Viterbo (; Central Italian, Viterbese: ; ) is a city and ''comune'' (municipality) in the Lazio region of Italy, the Capital city, capital of the province of Viterbo. It conquered and absorbed the neighboring town of Ferento (see Ferentium) in ...

, region of

Lazio Lazio ( , ; ) or Latium ( , ; from Latium, the original Latin name, ) is one of the 20 Regions of Italy, administrative regions of Italy. Situated in the Central Italy, central peninsular section of the country, it has 5,714,882 inhabitants an ...

, Italy. South of the gate is a train station (Stazione di Viterbo Porta Romana), with local lines linking to Rome, and just west is the campus of

Tuscia University University of Tuscia (, UNITUS) is a university located in the city of Viterbo, Italy. Founded in 1979, the University comprises 6 academic departments. Much of the campus occupies the former monastic complex of Santa Maria in Gradi, Viterbo, Sa ...

, which occupies some of an old Dominican monastery and Villa Gentili. Just north inside the walls, is the church of San Sisto.

History and description

This gate, as seen from outside the walls, was built in 1649 by Francesco Maiolino. The walls at this point are decorated by

Ghibelline The Guelphs and Ghibellines ( , ; ) were factions supporting the Pope (Guelphs) and the Holy Roman Emperor (Ghibellines) in the Italian city-states of Central Italy and Northern Italy during the Middle Ages. During the 12th and 13th centu ...

(swallow-tail shaped)

merlons A merlon is the solid, upright section of a battlement (a crenellated parapet) in medieval architecture or fortifications. Merlons are sometimes pierced by narrow, vertical embrasures, or tooth-like slits designed for observation and fire. The sp ...

. It replaced the Porta San Sisto, which is now incorporated into a tall tower to the right of the door, that serves as a bell-tower for the church. An epigraph above the gate, dated 1705, credits the then governor of the province, Marcellino Albergotti, with decorations. Facing outward, above the portal is a depiction of the youthful Santa Rosa of Viterbo, patron saint of the town. The statue is flanked by the coat of arms of Pope

Clement XI Pope Clement XI (; ; ; 23 July 1649 – 19 March 1721), born Giovanni Francesco Albani, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 23 November 1700 to his death in March 1721. Clement XI was a patron of the arts an ...

and Pope

Innocent X Pope Innocent X (6 May 1574 – 7 January 1655), born Giovanni Battista Pamphilj (or Pamphili), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 15 September 1644 to his death, in January 1655. Born in Rome of a family fro ...

. The gate at the time was named Porta Pamphilia, or Innocenziana, because it was inaugurated in 1643 when Pope Innocent X Pamphili came to visit his sister-in-law Olimpia Maidalchini. The gate is now called Romana because it is on the road that led to Rome. In the guide from 1920, it is said that the effects of an attack in 1798 by troops led by General Kellerman were still visible on the structure.Viterbo Nei Suoi Monumenti
by Andrea Scriattoli (1920), pages 67-69.

Bibliography

{{Coord, 42.41446, N, 12.10993, E, type:landmark, display=title Buildings and structures in Viterbo Buildings and structures completed in 1649