Romana Gate

As its name suggests, Porta Romana was the city gate towards Siena and Rome. Founded in 1328 with a base of 17.5 by 10 metres, it is the second-largest gate in the walls after Porta San Frediano. The central marble lily was made by Giovanni Pisano in 1331. Two white marble plaques at the sides recall the entry of the Medici pope Leo X in 1515 and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in 1536. Five openings surround the gate. Only the one on the left existed originally; the other four were made in 1930 for cars and access to the Boboli Gardens. One final curiosity: before its upper part was cut down, the outside bore two lion statues, four saints and a central Virgin. The surviving Madonna and Child, St Peter and St Paul can now be seen beneath the staircase in the Bargello Museum’s courtyard.