The spot on which the Porta Capena is supposed to have, stood, where the Appian & the Latin ways separated: the former to the Right; the latter to the Left Hand
This print shows the fork of the via Appia (right) and the via Latina (left), the beginning of today’s via di Porta Latina. Contrary to the caption stating that it is the site of the Porta Capena, the spot is some 740 metres beyond the ancient gate through which both roads once exited Rome’s Republican walls. Published in 1794, the print is one of a series illustrating the route of the via Appia by the Italian artist Carlo Labruzzi (1748-1817), who travelled part of the road five years earlier.
In the centre of the scene is the recycled ancient granite column shaft, with a new pedestal and capital, put up by Pope Clemente VIII (1592-1605) opposite the church of San Cesareo (right). Behind the column is the wall and classical portal of the Orti Passerini (today, Horti Galatea). On the left is another still-standing gateway, leading to what were vineyards owned by the church of Saints Domenico and Sisto.
The farmhouse further down the road is now part of the residence of the Canadian Ambassador to Italy. Beyond this, the ground rises and the sloping roof of the porch and the tall belltower of the church of San Giovanni a Porta Latina can be seen. Along the skyline to the right are the crenelations of Porta Latina itself, with the ancient Aurelianic Wall heading away to the south.
Carlo Labruzzi, 1794, BSR TA[PRI]-Mis03-018
