To the north, “Porta San Niccolò” took its name from the nearby church of San Niccolò al Terraio. Rebuilt after collapsing in 1585, it was later called “Porta Nuova,” or “Porta al Colto” or “Porta al Pino,” after two nearby farmsteads. From here began the road that, climbing the “Costa ai Mori,” led to the Ville al Terraio (today simply Le Ville) and then, by ford or by ferry near the island of Santa Maria, reached San Giovanni. It also provided access to the “Via degli Urbini,” which followed the right bank of the river toward Florence.
