Porta Urbica

Porta Urbica, also known locally as Porta di San Ventura, is one of Spello's Roman gates. Set at the foot of the western walls, it consists of a single arch supported by pillars and topped by a tympanum.

Why it matters

Umbria's regional tourism portal lists the gate among Spello's Roman monuments and records its alternative name, Porta di San Ventura. The archaeological superintendency's account places it within the circuit of the ancient walls and notes the quality of the fortification.

What to notice

The gate's simple form is easy to read: a single arch, plain inner face, supporting pillars and a tympanum. A nearby round tower belongs to a later medieval phase. Above the arch is an inscription, set up around 1700, that quotes the poet Propertius. The gate is described by the cited archaeological account as among the least altered openings in the wall circuit.

Context and history

Porta Urbica formed part of the Roman fortifications of Hispellum, on the western side of the town. Its position at the foot of the hill is consistent with its role as a secondary entrance. The gate was later blocked and reopened in the 1960s. Its Roman fabric and its medieval surroundings preserve distinct phases in the history of Spello's walls.