Porta di Santo Stefano (Martina Franca)

Known today as the Arch of Santo Antonio, it is one of the four gates that gave access to the city.It was built together with the city wall in the 14th century. The Porta di Santo Stefano has been renovated several times over the centuries, until the Baroque turn of 1764, which eliminated any element of military defense.At the highest point of the arch, the statue of San Martino was placed to commemorate the miraculous intervention of the patron saint when, according to legend, he stepped in with a huge cavalry on June 16, 1529 to save Martina Franca from the siege of the church cappelletti, mercenaries led by Fabrizio Marramaldo. According to legend, San Martino was accompanied by Sant'Antonio da Padova, hence the current name.
Source: divento.com/it/home/11026-porta-di-santo-stefano-martina-franca-puglia.html#share-modal-close