The walls

Todi is surrounded by three circle of walls which corresponds to the increase of the population during Etruscan, Roman and Medieval times. We can still see the third circle of walls built in 13th century ( restored in 1517) all long the town from Consolazione Church to Porta Romana, the main entrance to the town( the Roman gate).The building of the third circle of walls date back to 1244, but it lasted till the first years of 16th century. Porta Romana, built in 1580, Porta Fratta and Porta Perugina belong to this circle.
Following the walls from Porta Romana to Porta San Giorgio ( known as Consolazione gate, it was demolished in 1830) it is possible to reach the best preserved tower of the walls. Then it is possible to reach Porta Orvietana, now completely collapsed, but still in use at the beginning of the century. To the west side, Porta della Valle and a part of the walls were demolished at the beginning of the century to create an entrance to Via Ciuffelli. Porta Aurea and Porta Catena belong to the Roman circle of walls. Porta della Catena, this was the exact name, calls to mind the custom to close doors with chains in order to prevent any enemy attacks. Here there is a big ring on the right side where chains were hooked. Porta Marzia belongs to the first Etruscan circle. Only few fragments are still intact. The Valle Inferiore Wall, or Lucrezie, is thought to be Etruscan, but it is actually a Roman construction to stop the sliding of the hill and to create the terracing upstairs. Along the wall, two mouth tunnels ( the so-called lower Etruscan and higher Etruscan) are still used to drain water. roman tanks