Porta San Paolo is the southern gate in the Wall of Aureliana in Rome, dating from the 4th century. It is surrounded by two half-round towers made of bricks. The name refers to the nearby basilica of St. Paul. Today, there is the Museo della Via Ostiense, in which you can see, among others models of the ancient city of Ostia. In the eastern tower, fragments of 13th-century frescoes have been preserved.
The original structure was erected in the 4th century, during the reign of Maxentius. However, two towers come from a later period, they were built on the orders of Emperor Flavius Honorius, in order to strengthen the walls and ensure greater security for the city.
The earlier name, or Porta Ostiensis, was associated with Via Ostiensis - a 30-kilometer road that connected Rome with Ostia. In the 6th century, it was through this gate that Ostrogoth troops led by King Totila entered the city.
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