It is one of the main entrance gates to Acquapendente, along the route of the Via Francigena. Just outside and immediately inside the walls were a number of mills fed by the (now untapped) Rivo stream, some of which were used exclusively for grinding colours for ceramics, the most expensive raw material for ceramists, which were purchased by the Guild in a raw state and worked on site in specialised workshops. The mill at Porta della Ripa was owned by the Arte dei Vascellari.

Going up towards the Church of St. Francis, in what was once the tavern district, it is worth noting the presence of a kiln which was active from the second half of the 15th century to the beginning of the 16th century. Here, early examples of ‘lustro‘, a decorative technique producing iridescent colour effects of golden yellow, silver and ruby red were found. This was probably the work of itinerant potters and ‘figuli‘.