The medieval walled village of Venzone lies in northeastern Italy where the southern tips of the Alps are met by the Tagliamento River, in an area known as the Canal Del Ferro. Among other things, it’s a pleasant place to walk around without the noise that accompanies more touristy areas, which are, of course, plentiful in Italy.

Strolling through the village, I noticed that some parts of the city walls were more worn than others, but the archway still stood strong. It got me thinking about how many tests these fortifications had been subjected to over the centuries.