Twin Gates (Porta Gemina), Pula

They are two handsome gates that seem to lead to no place in particular. They are called Dvojna grata, or Porta Gemina, or the Twin Gates of Pula. It is a double arched gate. It was one of the ten city gates of Pula when Pula was surrounded by walls. The Twin Gates and a piece of the wall joining it to Giardin Square can be seen today.

At some time in the middle ages the gates were buried underground. They were unearthed only recently in geologic time. Apparently they had been two gates leading into the town in the 2nd or 3rd century. It looked like they had been used to replace an earlier gate.

A memorial plate was found when the gates were discovered. It was inscribed with the name Lucius Menacius Priscis. Lucius had funded a part of the town's water supply. There was no connection with the gates but the plate was set on top the arches anyway. It's nice to be remembered.

The two openings of the gate are framed with three semi-columns with composite capitals. A stone wreath above enhances the overall composition. The slats used to lower the portcullis are kept intact. A part of an octagonal mausoleum of the 3rd century AD was discovered with the twin gates.

Today the gates lead to the Archeological Museum of Pula, to the Castle and the small Roman Theater.