Porta terra firma

You are standing right in front of Porta terra ferme, the former main city gate that led to Trogir from the mainland. At a time when the city was an island, separated by canals and surrounded by walls, this was the only land entrance. The gate was part of a defensive system that changed shape over time, and it was given its current appearance in the 17th century, when it was renovated in the late Renaissance style with a touch of Baroque. It was reached via a drawbridge that crossed a defensive canal. That canal no longer exists, and the walls that surrounded the city were removed in the 19th century. However, this gate has remained almost intact and today reminds us of a time when every entrance to the city had its own rule and purpose. Above it stands a statue of St. John of Trogir, a man who was not only a bishop but also a symbol of the city's protection. According to legend, when the Normans tried to attack Trogir, he appeared on the walls and with his blessing repelled the attack. Because of this, he became the protector of the city, and his statue is placed right here, above the passage. Today, these gates no longer protect the city, but they take you straight into its history.