Porta Pretoria in Aosta is a vast Roman gate in the eastern side of the city walls that was the main entrance to the city of Augusta Praetoria. Built in 25 B.C.E. from blocks of stone fixed with powdered slate extracted from the riverbed of the Dora Baltea, the structure comprises the torre dei Signori, the arch and an inner courtyard.
The two main arches, centrally positioned and well preserved, were originally used for carriage traffic with the smaller side arches used by pedestrians. Above the arches are the guards’ walkways. The external façade shows traces of the marble slabs that covered the entire monument and the groves that assisted the closure of the gates at night. The space between the two series of arches was used as a military gathering place or parade ground.
There was originally a rectangular defensive tower at each end of the arch structure but today only one is conserved: the torre dei Signori. Constructed in the middle ages for the lords of Porta Sant'Orso, the tower is on the northern face of porta Praetoria.
Fondazione Film Commission Valle d'Aoste
Via Croce di Città 18 — 11100 Aosta
Phone: +39 0165 261790
Fax: +39 0165 261790
Email: amministrazione@filmcommission.vda.it
