The current name of the gate comes from the popularisation of its original name of Johannis Passarum, which without doubt derived from a character who had been responsible for its restoration, or who lived in the vicinity, as has been reported several times in relation to other gates.
An opening was created in the north-east of the old city walls and was the only one, along with Porta Bonomini located on the opposite corner of the city, to maintain its function after the expansion of Sulmona in 14th century and the construction of the second wall with new gates.