Porta Nuova (or Porta Volterrana) in Colle di Val d'Elsa: A Masterpiece of Medici Fortified Architecture

The Porta Nuova, also known as Porta Volterrana, represents one of the highlights of the fortifications of Castello a Colle Alta, in the city of Colle di Val d'Elsa. This imposing entrance, accessible from the homonymous exit of the highway Firenze-Siena, was built in 1479 thanks to the contribution of renowned military architects of the time, including the Francione, Giuliano da Sangallo, Francesco d'Angelo and Paolo di Francesco. The gate, which serves as the western cornerstone of the city walls, is characterized by a round arch and is presented as a small fortress with a mainly brick structure. The two powerful circular towers that enclose a short section of the walls recall the characteristics of the rocks rather than the Urbian walls. The fortified complex is equipped with a strong escarpture, a double redondoon delimiting the vertical section, a continuous defensive apparatus on stone picks, brick arches and a parapetto with new embellares with embellishments that will be represented by the first buildings and thrones.

Porta Nuova, Porta Volterrana, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Medici fortifications, military architecture, Francione, Giuliano da Sangallo, urban fortifications, circular towers, highway Firenze-Siena, urban gate, walls of Colle Alta, Tuscany

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