Overview:

Porta Cavalleggeri (literally meaning “Gate of the Cavalrymen”) is the main entrance to the Vatican City. It is located on Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi and is the only entrance accessible to the public. The gate was built on the orders of Pope Pius IX in 1870, while the surrounding walls were built in the 19th century to fortify the City. The gate has a striking neo-classical design and is adorned with the papal coat of arms. The gate is roughly 15 meters wide and 11 meters high and is guarded by a Swiss Guard. As with all areas of the Vatican City, visitors must pass through security checks to gain entrance. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vatican-City
Prominent Features:

The Porta Cavalleggeri, or Gate of the Cavalrymen, is a prominent feature of Vatican City and one of the main entrances to St. Peter's Square. The gate is located in the north side of the square, facing the Via della Conciliazione. It was designed in 1561 by Domenico Fontana and is adorned with decorative bas-reliefs of saints and angels. The gate is flanked by two large statues of St. Peter and St. Paul, symbolizing the patronage of the Catholic Church over the city. The Porta Cavalleggeri is an iconic symbol of Vatican City, representing the religious and political power of the Holy See. This national monument of Vatican-City portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Porta Cavalleggeri (Gate of the Cavalrymen) in Vatican City was first established in the mid-17th century. It is believed to have been constructed by either Pope Innocent X or Pope Alexander VII. The original purpose of the gates was to facilitate the entry and exit of the Vatican's cavalrymen, who were responsible for defending the walls of the pontifical state. The gate was located at the northern end of St. Peter's Square in the Leonine walls of Vatican City. It was restored in 1670 and subsequently enlarged in the mid-19th century. It originally featured two archways, one larger than the other, and a pair of rolling doors. The larger archway was big enough to accommodate horse-drawn carriages and today is used for state occasions to receive important guests of the Pope. Today, the Porta Cavalleggeri serves as one of the main entrances into Vatican City. It symbolizes the importance of the Vatican's military heritage and has become an iconic landmark of the city-state. Its design is neoclassical in style and is adorned by the Vatican crest. The Porta Cavalleggeri is closely guarded by the Vatican Swiss Guard and can only be entered with a special papal invitation or permission from an officer of the Swiss Guard. Many of the other old structures which were once part of the Leonine walls, such as the Porta Santo Spirito and Porta Angelica, have since been demolished. The Porta Cavalleggeri is the last remaining gate of the papal era and is therefore of great historical significance. You must visit one of these historical places in Vatican-City on your Vatican-City tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Porta Cavalleggeri (Gate of the Cavalrymen) is the only external entrance into Vatican City and one of the symbols of the Sovereign State of Vatican City. 2. The Porta Cavalleggeri was built in 1725 by order of Pope Benedict XIII, as a part of the bronze doors. 3. The gate is decorated with an entrance plaque which reads "State of Vatican City" in Latin and the Swiss Guard Crest in its center. 4. The Gate has four baroque sculptures of horsemen in papal-regalia and arms which were placed by Urban VIII in 1634. 5. The Porta Cavalleggeri is also the entrance where the Swiss Guards, employed to protect the pope, enter and leave the Vatican City at the beginning and end of their shift. 6. Every year, on the 6th of May, the Pope presides over the solemn swearing-in ceremony of the Swiss Guard at the Porta Cavalleggeri. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vatican-City with your friends and family.