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The medieval town walls of Bassiano: nine towers and five gates in the Lepini Mountains
The town of Bassiano, situated in the Lepini Mountains in the province of Latina, is protected by an unbroken city wall ring almost elliptical in shape. It is one of the best-preserved in southern Lazio. The defensive system was consolidated between the 14th and 15th centuries, primarily under the Caetani family, Dukes of Sermoneta and Lords of Bassiano, who transformed the village into an almost impregnable fortress. The walls and towers are built of local limestone, worked into irregular blocks, a resistant material whose original texture is still visible today.
The nine towers and the gates
At almost regular intervals along the perimeter rise nine semi-cylindrical towers approximately ten metres high, which were once connected by crenellations at the top. There are five entry points, known as portelle (small gates): the main ones, Porticina and Portanova, are both arched. Portavecchia, however, no longer exists: along with some sections of the walls, it was demolished to make room for a ring road.
