Via S. Ercolano
Also known as "Porta di Sant'Ercolano" - S. Ercolano Gate
It belongs to the Etruscan City Walls (III century B.C.) South-oriented, it is also named after S. Ercolano like the nearby Church. It is known as “Berarda” or “di Comitoli” because of the nearby residences of Lord Berardo (XIV century) and the bishop Napoleone Comitoli (XVII century).
As many other Etruscan doors it conserves the original base, while the arch was replaced by a pointed one. In the exterior of the façade above the arch, a lion of the XIII century, symbol of of the “Guelfi” (the Pope supporters between the XII and XIV centuries) but also a vigilance and protection icon. The underlying steps were a slope from where the wagons entered the city markets.
This gate is in the Porta San Pietro District, which has the crossed gilded keys as symbol of San Pietro. The background colour is gold, like the wheat coming from the plain of the Tiber river, passing through the South-East oriented door.