Porta Maggiore

Porta Maggiore, one of the most fascinating and complex monuments in Rome, is much more than just a city gate. Located at the intersection of the Prenestina and Casilina streets, this extraordinary structure not only served as a monumental entrance to the city, but also represents a masterpiece of Roman engineering, combining functionality, art, and history in a single architectural work. Built in 52 AD under the emperor Claudius, Porta Maggiore is actually a double monumental arch that was part of the Claudian aqueduct, one of the most important hydraulic infrastructures of ancient Rome. The Claudian aqueduct transported fresh water from the Aniene Vecchia and Aniene Nuova springs to the city, covering a distance of about 69 kilometers. The water passed through the gate on two levels, joining the Labicana and Praenestina streets at this point, and then continuing towards the center of Rome. The structure of Porta Maggiore is made of travertine, a material widely used in Roman architecture for its resistance and beauty. The imposing central arch, flanked by two smaller arches, is decorated with architectural elements typical of the Claudian period, such as fluted pilasters and Corinthian capitals. The dedicatory inscriptions on the gate celebrate the emperor Claudius for the construction of the aqueduct and other improvements to the city’s infrastructure. A unique aspect of Porta Maggiore is its role as the intersection of two aqueducts: the Anio Vetus and the Aqua Claudia. This dual function is visible in the complexity of its structure and in the engineering details that allowed the passage of water on two distinct levels. The upper arches, no longer visible today, supported the water conduits, while the lower ones served as a passage for travelers and goods entering and leaving the city. Over the centuries, Porta Maggiore has undergone various changes and adaptations. During the Middle Ages, the gate and adjacent structures were integrated into the urban defenses and used as part of the city fortifications. In the Renaissance, various restoration interventions were carried out to preserve the beauty and functionality of the gate. A significant restoration was commissioned by Pope Sixtus V in the 16th century, which included the removal of some medieval structures added over time and the restoration of the original decorations. An interesting anecdote concerns the nearby tomb of the baker Eurysaces, a funerary monument from the 1st century BC located just outside the gate. The tomb, built in the shape of a large bread oven, is decorated with reliefs celebrating the deceased’s profession. This funerary monument is a testimony to the social and economic diversity of ancient Rome, where even a baker could leave a lasting imprint on the city’s history. Recent restoration interventions have sought to preserve Porta Maggiore for future generations, addressing issues of degradation and pollution that threaten the structure. These works have included cleaning the travertine surfaces, consolidating the load-bearing structures, and implementing new conservation techniques to protect the inscriptions and original decorations.