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Abstract: In 1512, after having chased the Bentivoglio from Bologna, Pope Julius II decided not only to rebuild the destroyed fortress of Porta Galliera, which however never ended up to be built, but also to create a new military post at Porta Maggiore, to defend the road to Romagna. This second fortress, the so-called “rocchetta”, reused the walls of the ancient medieval gate, while a new one, in Renaissance style, was built on a site nearby. Almost completely ignored by Renaissance historians, the gate and the “rocchetta” of porta Maggiore are reconstructed thanks to contemporary chronicles and some important drawings, mostly from 18th century. Both buildings, probably designed by Bramante, were demolished in 1770 when Gian Giacomo Dotti created the new porta Maggiore. In the early twentieth century even this building was destroyed and, during the demolition work, the remains of the previous medieval gate returned to light, which, restored and supplemented, are forming the present gate.

Keywords: City gates; Bramante; Pope Giulio II; Fortifications; Bologna.