The spectacular walls surrounding ancient Norba are built of massive limestone blocks laid without mortar, following the ancient technique of polygonal masonry. Their scale and exceptional state of preservation make them among the most renowned in ancient Italy — and one of the finest surviving examples of this construction method. Scholars date them mainly to the second half of the 4th century BC, with later modifications in the 3rd century BC. Stretching for roughly 2.5 km, the walls are punctuated at key points by four gates: Porta Ninfina, Porta Signina, Porta Serrone di Bove, and Porta Maggiore. Porta Maggiore, set along the most scenic section of the walls with jambs soaring eight metres high, is among the most monumental republican gateways known. Its meticulous construction and extraordinary state of preservation make it a true marvel of ancient engineering. To the right of the entrance stands a powerful semicircular bastion, designed to shield the gate from frontal attacks. It also provided guards with a wide field of view and the ability to expose the vulnerable flanks of any assailants — a clever defensive feature known as the “sceo” system. Continuing along the wall to the left of Porta Maggiore is a postern — a small rectangular passage that once led to the upper Minor Acropolis.
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