Porta Pia

Porta Pia is one of the most remarkable examples of Renaissance architecture in Rome and represents one of the last works of Michelangelo Buonarroti. Located in the Nomentano district, the gate is known primarily for the crucial role it played during the Capture of Rome on September 20, 1870, an event that marked the end of the Papal States and the annexation of Rome to the Kingdom of Italy. The construction of Porta Pia was commissioned by Pope Pius IV in 1561 to replace the nearby Porta Nomentana, which had become inadequate due to the urban transformations of the time. Michelangelo, already elderly and nearing the end of his career, was tasked with designing the new gate. Although the master presented three designs to the pontiff, the least expensive project was chosen, but no less innovative and imposing. Porta Pia is characterized by architecture that blends classical elements with Renaissance innovations. Made of travertine and masonry, the gate features a central arch flanked by two side wings. The interior facade is particularly rich in details, with Corinthian columns, decorative friezes, and a grinning mask that, according to legend, represents Michelangelo himself. On the simpler exterior facade, a series of niches stand out, housing statues of martyr saints. An interesting aspect of Porta Pia is Michelangelo’s “joke.” It is said that the artist, to remember the humble origins of the pope, had a basin with a towel sculpted on the gate, symbolizing the barber family from which Pope Pius IV came. This detail is an example of Michelangelo’s sense of humor and his ability to incorporate personal elements into his works. Over the centuries, Porta Pia has undergone various restoration interventions. One of the most significant occurred in 1853 when the structure was severely damaged by lightning. Architect Virginio Vespignani oversaw the reconstruction works, which were completed in 1869 with the addition of neoclassical elements. Vespignani drew inspiration from 16th-century engravings to try to remain faithful to Michelangelo’s original design. On September 20, 1870, Porta Pia became the scene of one of the most important events in Italian history: the Breach of Porta Pia. The troops of the Kingdom of Italy, led by General Raffaele Cadorna, opened a breach in the Aurelian walls near the gate, allowing entry into Rome and marking the end of the temporal power of the popes. This event, a symbol of the Italian Risorgimento, is commemorated by several plaques and monuments located near the gate. Among the most significant monuments is the Monument to the Bersagliere, erected in 1932 at the initiative of the National Bersagliere Association. The six-meter-high bronze statue, created by sculptor Publio Morbiducci, depicts a running bersagliere, armed with a rifle, symbolizing the courage and fighting spirit of Italian soldiers. On the sides of the pedestal are bas-reliefs representing significant episodes in the history of the Bersagliere Corps. Inside the gate’s courtyard, which once housed the customs office, is the Historical Museum of the Bersaglieri. This museum houses a collection of memorabilia, documents, and artifacts related to the history of the bersaglieri and the events of the Italian Risorgimento. Among the most significant exhibitions are busts of Alessandro La Marmora, the founder of the Corps, and other heroes of the Risorgimento such as Luciano Manara and Goffredo Mameli.