Porta Romana, Florence

It stands at the confluence of a number of roads: accessed from north by Via Romana, Via de' Serragli, and Viale Francesco Petrarca.

In addition, a central road along the Boboli Gardens begins near the gate, and allowed the inhabitants of the Pitti Palace to exit and enter Florence with minimal travel on city streets.

The 13th century walls and gates of the city were erected with the designs of various builders; among the main contributors were Arnolfo di Cambio, with contributions by Orcagna, Giotto and others.

The interior portion of the gate has two marble plaques: one commemorates the 1515 entrance into Florence of the Medici Pope Leo X, and the other the 1535 entry of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.

[5] A controversial modern marble statue of two women, named "Dietro-Front" ("Turnabout"), was erected in the circle before the wall by the artist Michelangelo Pistoletto.

View of the gate from the inner (city) side, note the modern statue in the street circle in front.
Detail of Buosignori map (1584)
Iron clad doors.