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Porta Latina |
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Via Latina che sotto Monte Casino si unisce con la Via Appia |
Porta Latina is the only gate in the Aurelian walls to have retained its ancient name. The Via Latina, for which it is named, is the prehistoric path leading from Rome to the Alban hills (the extinct Latin volcano) site of the ancient group of towns referred to as the Latin League. Like most of the gates in the Aurelian wall it was reconstructed at the time of Honorius (395-423 AD). Though currently open today as it was in Vasi's day, this gate was walled up at various times (1408-09; 1665-1569; 1808-1911). The shallow crenellations visible in the left hand tower are still traceable today though it has since been built up to the level of the right hand tower. Vasi shows another round tower in the distance, at a bend in the urban walls. This is an anomaly because the Romans reserved round towers for the gates, the others being rectangular, but the Nolli map corroborates Vasi's view, as does the modern situation.
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