13th century gate is a popular way to enter the city
One of Padua’s only two remaining medieval gates, Porta Altinate,
provides a way into the centre of the city for thousands of people each day.
The 13th century Porta Altinate |
Padua’s tram stops on Riviera dei Ponti Romani and when passengers get
off they can quickly walk through Porta Altinate to reach the two main squares,
Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta.
Porta Altinate was one of the gates in the walls built around Padua in
the 13th century to protect the city from hostile attacks.
The walls were constructed on the orders of the comune of Padua and
there are still a few remnants of them left in parts of the city.
In 1256, Porta Altinate was stormed and destroyed by troops fighting to
overthrow the notorious tyrant Ezzelino III da Romano. It was the day the hated
ruler finally lost his power over the city.
The gate was rebuilt in 1286 and the event is recorded in an inscription
by the historian, Conte Carlo Leoni, on a memorial stone under the archway.
Porta Altinate’s lookout tower has since been reduced in height and the
gate now stands between modern buildings.
Looking at it from Piazza Garibaldi, the gate would once have been
reflected in the waters of a canal behind it, but this was filled in to create
the section of road called Riviera dei Ponti Romani, which was named in honour
of the Roman bridges which now lie below the surface of the road.
Monument to Alvise Pisani |
Inside the archway is a monument in baroque style to Alvise Pisani, who
was captain of Padua from 1686 to 1687 and then became Doge of the Republic of
Venice. The monument was the work of artists studying in Padua at the time.
But the intricately carved stonework is probably missed by many of the
pedestrians and cyclists who are in a hurry to pass through the gate each day
on their way into Padua.