BOOK

In another way, both simpler and also stronger, one may construct the gate of a city or a castle by observing the design noted here below. Its proportion should be such that the width of the opening of said gate matches its height measured up to the bandoriginal: "fascia"; a flat, horizontal molding or impost from which the arch begins to spring that supports the vaultoriginal: "uolto"; here referring to the curved ceiling of the archway. Its height from the band upward shall be as much more as is required for the semicircle. However, it is always at the discretion of the Architect to provide more or less according to necessity, and especially when he is constrained by some accidental circumstance.

And thus on its sides—on the right and left parts—two smaller gates are to be made, as I have said of the others. Their width should be half that of the central gate, and an equal amount of solid wall should be left between the large gate and the two smaller ones. The height of these side gates should be double their width; thus the band that supports the arch of the main gate will also serve as a support for the voussoirsoriginal: "cunei"; the wedge-shaped stones that form an arch or lintel of these side doors. Furthermore, one could make this band the linteloriginal: "supercilio"; the horizontal beam forming the upper part of a door frame itself—that is, the architrave for said gate. This gate, as has been stated, may be made both smaller and larger as it shall seem fit to the Architect, provided he does not deviate much from the forms given here.

An architectural woodcut illustration depicting a rusticated stone facade. The design features a large central round-headed arch with a prominent keystone and heavy voussoirs. It is flanked by two smaller rectangular doorways. Above each of these side doors is a rectangular recessed panel or niche. The entire structure is rendered with horizontal bands of rustication, common in Renaissance military or civic architecture.