Porta Pia

One of the gates of the Aurelian Wall, famous for its breach by the bersaglieri (soldiers) on 20 September 1870, actually some meters north (there is a column wit Vittoria atop it), the event that signalled the annexation of Rome by the Kingdom of Italy. The gate was built following a design by Michelango for Pius IV (1561-65), however the design was probably simplified in its execution. The facade is the work of Virginio Vespignani (1853-69) with the statues of Saint Alexander and Saint Agnes by Francesco Amadori. Inside is the Museo Storico dei Bersaglieri.