The Porta della Croce, a great example of military architecture, consists of two arches from different periods: the first is a 13th-century round arch, while the second is a 14th-century pointed or Gothic arch. The arches are positioned at right angles to make access more difficult for enemies, who, once inside, would find themselves under attack from all sides.
The two arches were surmounted by protected walkways, equipped with battlements and large corbels underneath to provide machicolations for defense. The outer walkway had a drawbridge, as can be seen from the large openings that allowed the passage of the chains that supported the bridge, while the inner walkway was probably protected by an iron grate.
In 1658, during renovations and restoration work, the lunette of the inner arch was frescoed with a Deposition, now transferred for conservation reasons to the church of Santa Croce and replaced with a contemporary work on the same subject by Maestro Bruno d’Arcevia.
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