Porta San Paolo

Porta San Paolo is one of the southern gates of the Aurelian Walls in Rome, located near the Pyramid of Cestius. Originally called Porta Ostiensis, it was the access point to the Via Ostiense, which connected Rome to the port of Ostia. Built in the 3rd century AD during the reign of Emperor Aurelian, the gate was renovated under Emperor Honorius between 401 and 403 AD. The structure is made of travertine and features two semicircular towers on either side. In the Middle Ages, the gate was renamed Porta San Paolo due to its proximity to the Basilica of St. Paul outside the Walls. During the medieval period, Porta San Paolo became an important access route for pilgrims heading to the basilica, thus consolidating its religious and symbolic significance. The gate is characterized by an imposing central arch and an inner gate built by Maxentius in the 4th century, the only one of the Aurelian Walls that is fully preserved. Porta San Paolo has been the scene of significant historical events, including the invasion of the Ostrogoths in 549 AD, when Totila’s troops entered Rome thanks to the betrayal of the garrison that left the gate open. Another crucial event took place on September 10, 1943, during World War II. It was here that the Italian army, along with numerous civilians, attempted to resist the German occupation. Despite the overwhelming superiority of the enemy forces, the walls of Porta San Paolo became a defensive stronghold of the resistance, protected by barricades and vehicle carcasses. Among the defenders were units of the Carabinieri territorial legion, the Montebello Lancers Regiment, the 1st squadron of the Genoa Cavalry Regiment, some units of the Sassari division, paratroopers of the X Arditi Regiment, and many civilians armed as best they could. Alongside the grenadiers, seventeen-year-old Maurizio Cecati died, perhaps the first casualty in the Liberation struggle to be recognized as a partisan. After World War II, Porta San Paolo continued to be a symbol of resistance and memory. Memorial plaques have been erected in the vicinity to commemorate the fallen of the Resistance and those who fought for freedom during the conflict. The architecture of Porta San Paolo is imposing and functional, designed to withstand attacks and provide an effective defensive system. The gate originally had two arches, but with Honorius’ renovation, it was reduced to a single arch to improve defense. The semicircular towers flanking it were reinforced and equipped with battlements and windows for military operations. Inside the “Castelletto,” the inner gate, there was space for the military garrison and the toll collectors’ station for collecting tolls on goods entering and exiting. This complex defensive system reflects the strategic importance of the gate in controlling and protecting the city. The “Castelletto” of Porta San Paolo has a unique feature: the closure was towards the city rather than towards the interior of the structure, as was normally the case. This arrangement was intended to offer a double obstacle to potential external aggressors, but it also represented a vulnerability in case of attacks from within, as happened in 1410 during the struggles between Roman armed factions.