8. The Portone

Situated south of the town, the fourth town gateway and drawbridge was built into the great wall which descended from Castelgrande but did not enter the town. It was here that goods in transit were halted for customs procedures and the gate was opened and closed on the hour every hour. In all probability, the Portone was wider and lower than it appears in the lunette and altogether more solid looking, as suggested by another more reliable source. The Portone with its tower was demolished in 1869.

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