Porta Gemina, Pula: the twin-arched Roman city gate
The Porta Gemina (Croatian: Dvojna vrata, “twin gate”) is a Roman city gate in Pula, on the Istrian peninsula. Built in the late 2nd or early 3rd century AD, it has two semicircular arches decorated with pilasters and a relief wreath. Today it opens the way to the Archaeological Museum of Istria, the Castle and a small Roman theatre, which makes it an easy detour for anyone exploring Roman Pula.
Pula once had about ten city gates, yet only one still stands almost as the Romans left it. It spent the Middle Ages buried underground and was brought back to light only in modern times.
The history of the Porta Gemina
In antiquity Pula was surrounded by walls with about ten city gates. As the town grew in modern times, the walls were pulled down out of necessity, and today only the Porta Gemina and a stretch of wall linking it to Giardin Square are still visible.
The gate was probably built in the late 2nd or early 3rd century AD, on the remains of an earlier town gate. It takes its name from its two semicircular openings leading into the town. Three pilasters with composite capitals frame the arches: one on each side and one between them. A relief wreath above ties the composition into a harmonious whole, and above the arches you can still see the slots once used for lowering the gratings that closed the gate. The entablature has its frieze and cornice, but the architrave is missing. Some scholars note that the gate may originally have had three arched openings.
The gate stands opposite the modern citadel, which was built on the site of the ancient capitol. During the Middle Ages the gates of the old walls were buried underground. They were dug out only in recent times and brought back to light, and the monument is today described as relatively well preserved.
A white marble plaque set in the upper central part names Lucius Menacius Priscus, a town councillor and senator, who paid out of his own pocket for one of the city's water supply networks; the Croatian Wikipedia gives the sum as 40,000 sesterces. The plaque did not belong to the gate originally. It was found beside it and placed on top in the late 19th century.
In front of the gate archaeologists found the remains of an octagonal mausoleum from the 2nd or 3rd century AD, which has been partly reconstructed. Passing through the arches today, you reach a courtyard that leads to the Archaeological Museum of Istria, the Castle and the small Roman theatre.
Curiosities about the Porta Gemina
- The name refers to the two semicircular openings; the gate may originally have had three arches.
- Slots for lowering the gratings that once closed the gate are still preserved in the upper part of the arches.
- The plaque of Lucius Menacius Priscus is not original to the monument: it was found next to it and placed on the gate in the late 19th century.
- Priscus is said to have funded one of Pula's water supply networks himself; the Croatian article quotes 40,000 sesterces.
- Of Pula's roughly ten ancient city gates, this is the one that remains clearly visible, together with part of the wall to Giardin Square.
- The gate spent the Middle Ages buried underground and was uncovered again only in modern times.
Tours near Porta Gemina
Experiences in the area that you can book online with Viator:
Visiting the Porta Gemina
- Look closely at the pilasters with composite capitals, the relief wreath and the grating slots in the arches.
- Note the remains of the partly reconstructed octagonal mausoleum in front of the gate.
- Through the gate you reach the Archaeological Museum of Istria, the Castle and the small Roman theatre, so the stop fits naturally into a walk through ancient Pula.
- Other Roman monuments of Pula, such as the Arch of the Sergii and the Temple of Augustus, lie very close by.
- The sources give no information on access conditions or opening hours for the surroundings; check the current opening hours of the museum before you go.
Opening hours, access and conditions can change. Check before you go.
Map: where Porta Gemina is
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Photos of Porta Gemina
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Questions
What is the Porta Gemina in Pula?
It is a Roman city gate with two semicircular arches, probably built in the late 2nd or early 3rd century AD. It was one of about ten gates in Pula's ancient walls.
Why is it called Porta Gemina or Dvojna vrata?
The name refers to its two semicircular openings leading into the town. In Croatian it is called Dvojna vrata.
Who was Lucius Menacius Priscus?
He was a town councillor and senator named on a plaque on the gate, who personally paid for one of Pula's water supply networks. The plaque was added to the monument in the late 19th century.
Is the Porta Gemina the only surviving gate of Pula?
It is the one that remains visible today, together with part of the wall connecting it to Giardin Square. The other gates of the roughly ten were lost.
What is next to the Porta Gemina?
The gate leads to the Archaeological Museum of Istria, the Castle and a small Roman theatre. In front of it lie the remains of a partly reconstructed octagonal mausoleum.
Was the Porta Gemina buried?
Yes. In the Middle Ages the gate was buried underground and was dug out and brought back to light only in recent times.
Also nearby
Arch of the Sergii
Pula · Roman arch built by a woman's gift
300 m away
Chapel of St Mary Formosa
Pula · sixth-century chapel, last trace of a lost basilica
450 m away
Temple of Augustus
Pula · Roman temple to Augustus on the old forum
450 m away
Fort Punta Christo
Pula · vast Austro-Hungarian fort guarding the bay
4.5 km away