Porta Palatina

Porta Palatina is a city gate in Turin, Italy, located on the western side of the ancient city wall. It is thought to have been built around 28 BC, which makes it one of the oldest gates in the city. The gate is made up of three arches, with the larger central one typically used to accommodate carriages, while the smaller lateral ones allowed pedestrians passage. The brick facing was added during restoration works in the 16th century. It wasn’t until 1706 that Porta Palatina was given the name it still has today, which was taken from the nearby Palatine Gate. Today, the gate stands as a symbol of one of the most powerful and influential rulers of Turin – Charles Emanuel of Savoy, who was the main force behind the construction of this impressive structure. Visitors to the gate can still admire its ancient sculptures, turrets and frescoes, which represent a unique piece of Turin’s history.