Etruscan Porta Marzia of 3rd Century BC, Perugia

This is a monumental arch of the Etruscan (!) Walls of Perugia built in the 3rd Century BC. It is the southern gate to the City.


When the Fortress of the Rocca Paolina was built by Pope Paul III Farnese after the definitive conquest of Perugia at the end of the salt war of 1540, to demonstrate Perugia's subjugation to the Papal State. The architect Antonio da Sangallo moved the city gate back four metres and built it into the new fort wall.

It is built of travertine marble like the rest of the Etruscan Walls of Perugia. The arch is decorated above with loggia from which five sculptures peer out. They have been identified as Zeus with the Dioscuri and their horses.

Above an below the loggia is the Latin inscription COLONIA VIBIA and AUGUSTA PERUSIA. This was added sometime after 40 BC when Octavian (later Augustus) defeated Lucius Anthony brother of Mark Anthony after a bloody siege in which much of Perugia was damaged.

Where else can you see largely intact walls and gates from the 3rd Century BC?!