Poarta Ecaterinei

Poarta Ecaterinei is the oldest medieval gate preserved in Brașov, located at the midpoint of the south-western side of the former enclosure wall, between Bastionul Țesătorilor and Bastionul Fierarilor. Built in 1559 by the tailors' guild, during the second term of mayor Johann Benkner, the gate was erected on the site of an older entrance documented from 1517 under the name "Poarta Sfântului Duh" (Porta Corporis Christi), after a nearby chapel. The architecture is Renaissance in style, featuring a massive central tower and four corner turrets — a symbol of the jus gladii privilege, the right of the free royal city to apply capital punishment. The interior vault is painted in the Renaissance style, and above the gate are the coat of arms of Brașov and two Latin inscriptions: one biblical and one attesting to the construction during Benkner's term of office. Inside, there were wooden galleries on multiple levels, with access to arrow loops. For nearly three centuries, the gate was the only link between the citadel and the Romanian quarter of Șchei. In 1827, the greater part of the ensemble was demolished to allow for the construction of the wider Poarta Șchei; only the outer gate tower survived, which is the structure visible today. The name derives from Mănăstirea Sfânta Ecaterina, a monastery that existed in the area in past centuries. It is a listed historical monument, LMI code BV-II-m-A-11294.01.