Porta Camollia

Welcome to Porta Camollia, the historic northern gateway to the city of Siena. For centuries, this has been the first sight of the city for travelers arriving from Florence and the north, particularly those traversing the ancient…

Our tour begins at the Antiporto, or 'outer gate,' situated about five hundred meters north of the main city walls. This structure was the first line of defense for anyone approaching from the direction of Florence. …

As we walk toward Porta Camollia, we encounter a modest yet highly significant monument: the Column of Portugal. This marble column with its ornate capital commemorates a momentous event in European history that occurred right…

Near the Column of Portugal, you may notice a lone, ancient capital sitting somewhat incongruously on the ground. This is often referred to as the 'capitello dimenticato' or forgotten capital. …

We have reached the Porta Camollia itself. The gate you see today was designed by Alessandro Casolani in the early 1600s, replacing the medieval structure that was stripped of its military apparatus by the Medici rulers to…

While the gate today looks peaceful, this ground was the site of one of Siena's most celebrated military victories: the Battle of Camollia in 1526. An army of Papal and Florentine troops attempted to seize the city, but they were…

Just to the right of the gate, within the city walls, lies the area known as the 'Fortino delle Donne' or the Little Fort of the Women. This site is dedicated to the legendary bravery of the Sienese women during the siege of…

Our journey around Porta Camollia has concluded. We have traversed the distance from the outer bulwark of the Antiporto to the triumphal arch of the main gate, uncovering layers of history that span from the medieval frescoes of…