Overview:

is an ancient gate located in Vatican City, Italy. It is one of the few surviving sections of the ancient walls near St. Peter's Basilica. Built in the 16th century, the walls were designed to protect the area from attack. The gate has a central arch and several smaller ones on the sides. On the outside of the gate is a marble relief depicting the protection of St. Peter by two angels. The gate is a symbol of the protection the Vatican and its citizens receive from divine guardians. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vatican-City
Prominent Features:

Porta Angelica, or Angel’s Gate, is the only entrance to the Vatican City from the Italian side. It lies within the Vatican walls and can be accessed from the Via della Conciliazione, a beautiful avenue that was built in 1933 in an effort to link the Vatican to the center of Rome. The gate is rather small and narrow (only two people can fit through side by side), but it is flanked by twin towers and decorated with statues of St. Peter and St. Paul, which gives it an impressive feel. The gate is also known as the "Gate of the Pope" due to the elevator at the gate, which only the Pope has ever used. This national monument of Vatican-City portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Porta Angelica (Angel's Gate) is one of four major gates into Vatican-City, the architectural center of the Roman Catholic Church. The gate is located off of St. Peter's Square on the west side of Vatican City, near the colonnade. It has been around since the 16th century, when Pope Julius II ordered its construction in 1508, and is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Vatican. Throughout its history, Porta Angelica (Angel's Gate) has become a symbol of protection for the priests and faithful of the Church. According to legend, it was supposed to be opened and closed each day by an angel of the Lord as a form of spiritual protection. This legend dates back to the Council of Trent in 1545, though it actually came to prominence during the papacy of Pope Paul V (1605-1621). In more modern times, the gate is as prestigious as it ever was. It remains one of the most beautiful and recognizable symbols of the Vatican, and is often seen in images that depict the Roman Catholic faith. It is also frequently visited by tourists and pilgrims alike, as it is a popular landmark to visit in Vatican-City. In recent years, the Angel's Gate has become a symbol of hope throughout the world. In recent months during the COVID-19 pandemic, images and videos of it being lit up in rainbow colors have gone viral on social media, as a symbol of hope and solidarity in the midst of difficult times. In this way, it has been an enduring symbol of faith and resilience among people of all cultures and religions. You must visit one of these historical places in Vatican-City on your Vatican-City tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Porta Angelica, or Angel's Gate, is the only public access point to the Vatican City State. 2. The gate is located in the extreme right, northern area of the Vatican walls on Via della Conciliazione. 3. It was designed by the sculptor Giovanni Battista della Porta and is decorated with two large angels holding a crown and a cross. 4. Much of the gate's structure is made up of pink marble and was erected in 1744, soon after the signing of the 1741 Treaty of Worms that formalized the Vatican as an independent state. 5. In the mid-1800s the gate was rebuilt, this time with four large marble tympana, one for each of the four presiding Pontiffs. 6. One of the four tympana is the work of the famous neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova. 7. On the tympanum of Pope Pius VIII is a relief representing the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. 8. On the other tympana are scenes from the life of Jesus. 9. The Porta Angelica is guarded day and night by the Swiss Guard, the official papal army of the Vatican City since the 16th century. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vatican-City with your friends and family.