Aosta Praetoria Gate

Porta Praetoria: the gateway to ancient Aosta

The Porta Praetoria is one of the four ancient entrances to the Roman city of Augusta Praetoria (now Aosta).
The city was built in 25 BC after the defeat of the Salassi, an Alpine population opposed to Roman rule. The Porta is a true gateway through time.
Located in the northeastern corner of Aosta’s Roman walls, it was the eastern entrance to the ancient city of Augusta Praetoria Salassorum.
Even today, it still stands majestically, offering a fascinating glimpse into the city’s Roman past.
Built in the first century AD, the Porta Praetoria has two side towers about 11 meters high and a central archway surmounted by an attic decorated with friezes.
Its sturdy stone walls, up to 3 meters thick, tell stories of battles and sieges.
In the Middle Ages, the gate took the name Porta Sancti Ursi, becoming the entrance to the village of Sant’Orso.
An inscription on the gate bears the date 25 AD, the year of its inauguration.
The Porta is more than just a monument.
It is a symbol of Aosta, a bridge connecting the present to the city’s glorious Roman past.
A reminder of the strength and tenacity that have characterized its history.
Passing through this majestic gate, one plunges into the heart of Aosta’s historic center, among cobblestone streets, ancient buildings, and evidence of a past rich in history and culture.
An unmissable experience for lovers of history and archaeology.