Alchemy Gate

This door was built in the late 1600’s by the Marquis Massimiliano Palombara. There are numerous stories of the doors origins, but this is the only door of 5 on the estate that remain today. Surrounding the door are inscriptions used by alchemists in their attempts at transmutation.

There are many, but I was most struck by the words on the doorway’s steps:

SI NON SEDES IS

This semi-palondrome roughly means, “If you sit, you do not proceed”.

When read right to left:

SI SEDES NON IS

It’s hidden meaning becomes, “If you do not sit, you proceed”.

Porta Magica Rome, Italy

Photo Technical Info

• Aperture: ƒ/5.6
• Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• Taken: 17 January, 2016
• Focal length: 35mm
• ISO: 640
• Location: 41° 53.7182′ 0″ N 12° 30.2418′ 0″ E
• Shutter speed: 1/320s
• Title: Puerta Magica Rome, Italy

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