Overview:

is an ornate gateway in the Vatican City, the papal enclave within Rome. It was built in 1644 in the older walls of the Vatican. It is located on the east side of the city, near the St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. The gate is decorated with statues of Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and the Virgin Mary. It serves as one of the main entrances to Vatican City. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vatican-City
Prominent Features:

The Porta Sant'Anna is one of the main gates of the Vatican City located in Rome, Italy. The gate was designed by Italian architect Donato Bramante in the early 16th century and was part of his project for the Jubilee of 1500. The gate was originally located in the ancient walls of papal Rome but was eventually moved to the outer walls of the Vatican in 1854. The gate is the only access point to the Belvedere and the gardens of the Apostolic Palace, and it is often seen as a symbol of the bond between St. Peter and St. Anne. The gate is composed of three arches and two columns and is topped with a bronze bust of St. Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary. This national monument of Vatican-City portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Porta Sant'Anna, also referred to as the Gate of St Anne, is a ceremonial gate in Vatican City. The gate is used during grand ceremonies such as the papal inauguration and the beatification of a saint. The gate is named after St. Anne, the mother of Mary, Jesus' mother. It is located at the south side of St. Peter's Square and provides access to the corridor leading to St. Anne's Church. The gate itself dates back to a 15th-century portal which was built during the reign of Pope Paul III. However, the original design of the gate remains largely unchanged. It consists of two smaller wooden doors with a large stone inscription over the top. The inscription reads, “Porta Sanctae Annae, Roma, AD75"(Gate of St. Anne, Rome, In the year of Our Lord 1575). While the original gate remains in place, the modern Porta Sant'Anna underwent remodeling work in 1693. The work was carried out by Giuseppe Sardi, an Italian architect, under the patronage of Pope Innocent XI. The notable changes included the addition of a stone cornice above the gate’s wooden doors, two Vatican eagles flanking the arch, and the inclusion of an inscription in Latin above the new cornice. Today, the Porta Sant'Anna is used to grand, ceremonial entrances into the Vatican City. Most recently, the gate was used for the inauguration of Pope Francis I and his ensuing procession up the grand stairs of St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Benedict XVI also used the gate to lead his final procession out of the Vatican in 2013. The gate continues to be a symbol of papal ceremony and history for the Vatican City. You must visit one of these historical places in Vatican-City on your Vatican-City tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Porta Sant'Anna, or Gate of St. Anne, is one of the five main entrances into Vatican City. 2. It is named after the patron saint of the Vatican, St. Anne. 3. The gate was built in 1644 by Pope Urban VIII, as one of two entrances connecting the city with the Castel Sant'Angelo, a fortified castle in the city. 4. The gate was made of white marble, and featured a beautiful bronze-plated statue of St. Anne holding a child. 5. The wall surrounding the gate was also built during this time, and featured four massive columns with Portuguese helmets on top each one. 6. The Vatican used the gate as a means of security, allowing access only to those with valid passes. 7. Today, the gate is still an important symbol of the city, and it has been featured in several films and seen in the opening scene of the popular James Bond film Casino Royale. 8. The gate is also included on the official list of landmarks of Italy's World Heritage Sites. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vatican-City with your friends and family.