Porta Asinaria
The Porta Asinaria is one of many gates that make up the Aurelian Wall. Built between 270 and 273, it is one of the wall's original gates. By the 16th Century, the increasing traffic overwhelmed the gate, and a new breach was made in the walls, which became the Porta San Giovanni. Following this, the Porta Asinaria was closed to traffic.[1]
Database Entry
The Porta Asinaria was built as a part of the original Mura Aureliane (Aurelian Walls). Its unique tower blocks and guard rooms cause it to stand out from the rest. In 536, General Belisarius led his tropps through this gate to retake Rome from the Ostrogoths. Its glory was, however, short lived when, 10 years later, traitors opened this gate to let Totila and his Goths back in to raid the city for a second time.
Belisarius should have remembered to double lock it! [2]