Porta San Giovanni

Porta San Giovanni is one of the great gates on the Aurelian Walls, and takes its name from the nearby Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. Built in 1574 and commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII. It is famous not only for the fact that it opens the road on Via Appia Nuova, but also for the now disappeared ''witches' night'', on June 23, which was identified with the collection and dinner of snails. Festival that took place outdoors to drive away the ghost of Salome and Herodias, daughter and wife of Herod Antipas, convinced by the latter to have John the Baptist's head cut off.