External facade of the Porta Asinaria. | |
 Click on the map for a fullscreen view | |
| Location | Rome |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°53′8.4768″N 12°30′31.2552″E / 41.885688000°N 12.508682000°ECoordinates: 41°53′8.4768″N 12°30′31.2552″E / 41.885688000°N 12.508682000°E |
| History | |
| Founded | 271–275 AD |
The Porta Asinaria is a gate in the Aurelian Walls of Rome.[1] Dominated by two protruding tower blocks and associated guard rooms, it was built between 271 and 275 AD, at the same time as the Wall itself. It was not rebuilt or fortified in the time of Honorius and not restored by Theoderic as most of the other gates.[2]
It is through this gate that East Roman troops under General Belisarius entered the city in 536, reclaiming the city for the Byzantine Empire from the Ostrogoths.
By the 16th century it had become overwhelmed by traffic. A new breach in the walls was made nearby to create the Porta San Giovanni. At this point, the Porta Asinaria was closed to traffic.
