Category:Porte dei Morti

A number of the houses in central Italy (Tuscany, Umbria, Latium...), date to the 14th and 15th centuries, often have a second door fronting on the street, usually just a few inches from the main entrance. This secondary entrance is narrower, and a foot or so above the actual street level. This type of door is called a "Porta dei Morti" (door of the dead) because it is commonly stated that it was used only for removing the bodies of any who might have died inside the house. One of the most likely theories is that the door was used by the owners to protect themselves when opening to unknown persons, leaving them in a dominating position.