The exceptional structure of the city of Orvieto, built entirely on a tuff base, thereby guaranteeing its protection from enemy attacks, has allowed for the preservation of a large part of the immense city gates that allowed access to the historic centre in the Middle Ages. Of the many entrances built, two have now been completely lost: Porta Cassia and Porta Daziaria (so called because passage through it required the payment of a customs duty). Both were located in present-day Piazza Cahen.
The other Porte (Gates), on the other hand, are well preserved, visible and still used as entrances to the city: Porta Vivaria, which can only be accessed on foot, leads to the Etruscan necropolis of Crucifisso del Tufo via an attractive walk along the sides of the cliff and Porta Maggiore and Porta Soliana (or della Rocca). Located, respectively, on the west and east sides of the cliff, these two gates were built for defensive purposes in the 13th century and are both decorated with a statue of Pope Boniface VIII.
The last and most important of these monumental Gates, Porta Romana, was built in modern times, in 1822, and is currently the main entrance to the city. The gate is modern in design and made of regular stone ashlars that lend simplicity and elegance. There are two decorative statues at either side representing an imperial eagle and a goose, taken from the Orvieto city coat of arms and closely linked to the history of the city of Rome. The goose refers to the geese of the Campidoglio (dedicated to the goddess Juno) who foiled numerous attacks on the city thanks to their gaggling.