Porta Sant'Anna (St. Anna's Gate), Lucca

Officially named Victor Emmanuel Gate (Porta Vittorio Emanuele), Saint Anna’s Gate is one of the entrances through the Walls of Lucca, colloquially dubbed by locals as the "hole of Saint Anna” due to its proximity to the church of the same name. Unlike Lucca’s historic gates, which were built primarily for defensive purposes, this one was a modern intervention designed in 1910 to accommodate the increasing motorized traffic in the western part of the city. The construction was deemed necessary as the nearby San Donato Bulwark, a 17th-century fortification, was no longer suited for the city's evolving urban needs.

Designed by architect Francesco Bandettini, the gate’s construction sparked controversy—first regarding the necessity of a new opening so close to Porta San Donato, and later due to its aesthetic simplicity. The final design, however, struck a balance between function and discretion: it features two large arches for vehicles and two smaller pedestrian passages, ensuring minimal disruption to the historic continuity of the walls. The city’s marble coat of arms is positioned at the center, while the interior arches, carved through the thickness of the walls, are built in exposed brick. The exterior facades, in contrast, are clad in sandstone ashlar, lending a clean yet solid architectural presence.

The gate played a key role in early 20th-century urban planning, directly linking Lucca’s center to the Sant’Anna district, a growing area once served by the now-defunct Lucca-Maggiano tramway. While it may lack the grandeur of Lucca’s medieval and Renaissance-era gates, Saint Anna’s Gate remains a vital and practical access point, blending into the cityscape with its restrained yet effective design.