PORTA DEL PIANELLO

This is the main entrance to Montefollonico and the gate with the best defences. The inner gate is medieval and bears the coat of arms of the people of Siena; the rampant lion, originally white on a red background. The outer gate is probably an addition from the 15th century, originally equipped with a drawbridge. If you look up, you can still see the grooves that used to house the lifting mechanism for the bridge itself. Between the gates are six firearms positions for forward and sideways defence.