Porta Valle
The ancient gateways to the historic centre of Jesi bear witness to centuries of history and city life:
monumental gateways that still welcome visitors to the town today
Porta Valle is one of the four most important gates in the town walls.
It is placed in the lower part of the town where the Vallato canal, built in the 14th century for defence and irrigation, used to flow. It was formerly known as Porta Pesa (Weigh Gate) because there was a public weighbridge near it.
The gate has the appearance of a small fort, protruding out by about 15 metres from the line of the walls; it was in fact moved in the 15th century to allow for a fountain that was placed at that very spot, which would be indispensable in the event of a siege.
The gate is topped by a tower with a façade where the remains of an ancient painting can be seen.
