Porta San Sebastiano, Rome

Name: Porta San Sebastiano
Address: Via di Porta S. Sebastiano, 18, Rome, 00179, Italy
Telephone: +39 06 0608 0921

#132 among attractions in Rome

Museum, Ruins, Historical place

Gallery (14)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Patrik Kunec / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Rabax63 / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Pierfelice Licitra / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Karelj / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Rabax63 / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Rudolphous / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Lalupa / URL

Facts and practical information

Porta San Sebastiano is one of the grandest and most well-preserved gates of the Aurelian Walls in Rome, Italy. This historical landmark, also known as the Appian Gate, marks the beginning of the ancient Appian Way – the queen of the long roads. It is a testament to Rome's rich history and its ancient military architecture.

Constructed between 271 AD and 275 AD under Emperors Aurelian and Probus, the gate was part of a defensive system designed to protect the city from invasions. Porta San Sebastiano stands out due to its impressive size and the excellent state of preservation. It consists of a double passageway flanked by two semi-cylindrical towers, which were added later during the reign of Emperor Honorius.

Today, the gate houses the Museo delle Mura, a museum dedicated to the city's fortifications. Here, visitors can learn about the history of Rome's walls and explore the internal walkways, battlements, and guardrooms that once housed the soldiers tasked with defending the city. A climb to the top provides a panoramic view of the surrounding area, including the start of the Appian Way, which stretches into the Roman countryside.

Alternative names: Coordinates: 41°52'25"N, 12°30'5"E

Address

Via di Porta S. Sebastiano, 18Sant'SabaRome 00179 Italy

Contact

+39 06 0608 0921

Website

Social media

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Rome

Day trips

Porta San Sebastiano – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Terme di Caracalla, Santa Balbina, Santa Maria in Palmis.

0.9 miN
, Baroque architecture, Church
Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome
23 min walk • The Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, standing majestically in the heart of Rome, Italy, is not only the oldest church in the Western world but also holds the unique title of being the Cathedral of Rome and the ecumenical mother church of Roman Catholic faithful.
0.6 miNW
Ruins of a vast Roman bath complex
Terme di Caracalla, Rome
16 min walk • Steeped in ancient grandeur, the Terme di Caracalla in Rome, Italy, are a testament to the Roman Empire's architectural prowess and its citizens' luxurious lifestyle. These extensive ruins were once among the most magnificent public baths in the ancient world...
0.8 miNW
Church, Sacred and religious sites
Santa Balbina, Rome
20 min walk • Santa Balbina is a Roman Catholic basilica church in located in the Aventine rione, adjacent to the Baths of Caracalla in Rome.
0.5 miS
Baroque architecture, Church, Historical place
Santa Maria in Palmis, Rome
13 min walk • Santa Maria in Palmis, also known as Chiesa del Domine Quo Vadis, is a small church southeast of Rome, central Italy.
0.5 miW
Part-ruined city walls built by Romans
Aurelian Walls, Rome
13 min walk • The Aurelian Walls are a line of city walls built between 271 AD and 275 AD in Rome, Italy, during the reign of the Roman Emperors Aurelian and Probus. They superseded the earlier Servian Wall built during the 4th century BC.
0.9 miN
Church, Sacred and religious sites
Lateran Baptistery, Rome
23 min walk • The domed octagonal Lateran Baptistery stands somewhat apart from the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, Rome, to which it has become joined by later construction.
0.8 miN
Church, Sacred and religious sites, Ruins
Santo Stefano Rotondo, Rome
21 min walk • The Basilica of St. Stephen in the Round on the Celian Hill is an ancient basilica and titular church in Rome, Italy.
0.8 miN
Fountain
Fontana della Navicella, Rome
22 min walk • The Fontana della Navicella is a fountain built around a marble and travertine replica of an Ancient Roman sculpture, depicting a decorated Roman Galley, and erected in front of the church of Santa Maria in Domnica of Rome, Italy.
0.8 miN
Church, Romanesque architecture, Fountain
Santa Maria in Domnica, Rome
22 min walk • The Minor Basilica of St. Mary in Domnica alla Navicella, or simply Santa Maria in Domnica or Santa Maria alla Navicella, is a Roman Catholic basilica in Rome, Italy, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and active in local charity according to its long tradition.
0.6 miNW
Church
Chiesa dei Santi Nereo e Achilleo, Rome
15 min walk • Santi Nereo ed Achilleo is a fourth-century basilica church in Rome, Italy, located in via delle Terme di Caracalla in the rione Celio facing the main entrance to the Baths of Caracalla.
0.7 miSW
Church
Santa Galla, Rome
19 min walk • The Santa Galla church is a place of Catholic worship in Rome located in the Ostiense district, in via Circonvallazione Ostiense.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Porta San Sebastiano?

Nearby attractions include Museo delle Mura, Rome (1 min walk), Arch of Drusus, Rome (1 min walk), Columbarium of Pomponius Hylas, Rome (5 min walk), Tomb of the Scipios, Rome (5 min walk).

How to get to Porta San Sebastiano by public transport?

The nearest stations to Porta San Sebastiano:

Bus

Porta S. Sebastiano • Lines: 118, 218 (1 min walk)
Porta S. Sebastiano/Sepolcro Scipioni • Lines: 118 (4 min walk)

Metro

Re di Roma • Lines: A (23 min walk)
San Giovanni • Lines: A, C (24 min walk)

Tram

Aventino/Circo Massimo • Lines: 3, 8 (25 min walk)
Albania • Lines: 3, 8 (26 min walk)

Light rail

Roma Porta San Paolo • Lines: Fc2 (27 min walk)

Train

Roma Tuscolana (31 min walk)