Lucca's City Wall and Gates (Self Guided), Lucca

Saint Peter's Gate (Porta San Pietro) in Lucca stands as one of the prominent gateways in the city's Renaissance walls. Built between 1565 and 1566, it was designed by the military engineer Alessandro Resta to provide access to the southern part of the city. Today, it remains the closest gate to the train station and an important passage for both pedestrians and vehicles.

The gate consists of three openings, with the central arch bearing the coat of arms of Saint Peter and the inscription "Libertas," the motto of the Republic of Lucca. Flanking the shield are two imposing stone lions housed in niches, which originally served as channels for the chains that operated the drawbridge. While the main passage is used for vehicular traffic, the two side openings—added much later in 1864—are designated for pedestrians.

One of the gate's most striking architectural features is its classical tympanum, which adds a refined elegance to the otherwise fortified structure. Remarkably, Saint Peter’s Gate has preserved its original wooden studded doors and portcullis, testifying to its historical significance. Today, some of its internal spaces are used as offices and a storage area for a local historical reenactment association.

Historically, the gate played a crucial role in controlling access to the city. In earlier times, non-residents were required to register upon entry and surrender their weapons—except swords. Travelers passing through Lucca could retain their firearms, but only under the escort of armed guards.

Saint Peter’s Gate, built on Lucca’s original Roman south gate, reflects the city’s deep history. Today, it stands as both a historical landmark and a gateway to Lucca’s rich cultural heritage.

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.

The Old San Donato’s Gate (Antica Porta San Donato) is a historic gateway in Lucca, marking a significant point in the city's defensive evolution. Located in Verdi Square (Piazzale Verdi), the gate faces west and was constructed in 1590 following the design of Vincenzo Civitali. This addition to the medieval walls aimed to reinforce a vulnerable part of the city's defenses with the inclusion of a musone bulwark. However, its function was short-lived, as the city’s defensive strategy changed, leading to the construction of the new Porta San Donato between 1629 and 1639, which ultimately replaced the older gate and incorporated it into Lucca’s expanding fortifications.

Despite its diminished role in military defense, the Old San Donato’s Gate retains its monumental façade, adorned with two marble lions that originally stood on a medieval door. It once featured a drawbridge spanning an external moat, a feature now lost to time but still partially visible.

The gate holds additional historical significance beyond its military function. It was the site of Italy’s last execution by guillotine on July 29, 1845, marking a somber chapter in the nation’s history. Today, rather than serving as a passage for soldiers or convicts, the Old San Donato’s Gate welcomes visitors, housing Lucca’s tourist information office. It remains a popular stop for those exploring the city's well-preserved Renaissance walls, offering a glimpse into Lucca’s layered past where medieval, Renaissance, and modern influences converge.

Saint Donato's Gate (Porta San Donato) stands as one of the best-preserved and most striking gateways in Lucca, seamlessly blending Renaissance elegance with military functionality. Constructed between 1629 and 1639 to replace the older Antica Porta San Donato (1590), this western-facing entrance was part of the fortified walls encircling the city. The earlier gate still exists, now enclosed within the walls at Piazzale Verdi.

Designed by Muzio Oddi, Saint Donato's Gate exhibits refined architectural details, including marble-framed windows and a triangular gable adorned with statues of Saint Donato and Saint Paolino. Originally, the gate featured a drawbridge, reinforcing Lucca’s strategic defenses. The imposing central archway is flanked by two smaller arches—one of which is purely decorative—adding to its aesthetic and functional intrigue. Inside, remnants of its historical use remain, including a fireplace and a pit, offering a glimpse into its past as a stronghold of city security.

Today, Saint Donato's Gate is not just a testament to Lucca’s Renaissance heritage but also an inviting passage into the city’s vibrant heart. Strolling through, visitors are met with charming artisan shops, cafes, and boutiques, making the area an appealing mix of history and modern life. The nearby city walls provide a scenic promenade, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Lucca’s rooftops and surrounding countryside. Whether for its architectural grandeur, historical significance, or picturesque setting, Saint Donato's Gate remains a must-see landmark, embodying the city’s timeless charm.

Saint Maria’s Gate (Porta Santa Maria) is one of the grand entrances to the historic city of Lucca. Situated on the northern side of the city's impressive Renaissance walls, the gate was constructed between 1549 and 1592 as part of Lucca’s defensive fortifications. Designed by architect Ginese Bresciani and built under the direction of Michelangelo Gabrielli, this gateway exemplifies the grandeur of Renaissance architecture while serving as a vital passage into the city.

Originally, the gate featured a single entrance, but later modifications introduced two additional openings to accommodate increased traffic. One of the most striking features of Saint Maria’s Gate is the marble statue of the Virgin Mary, positioned in a niche above the entrance as a dedication to the city's religious heritage. Flanking the gate are statues of panthers, symbolic of Lucca’s identity and resilience. The central arch features frescoes of the Annunciation, with the Archangel Gabriel and the Madonna. Below Saint Peter’s bas-relief, the inscription "Libertas" highlights Lucca’s historic independence.

Beyond its architectural significance, Saint Maria’s Gate has played a role in Lucca’s transportation history. From 1883 to 1932, the gate served as a terminus for the Lucca-Ponte a Moriano tramway, which was later extended to Saint Peter's Gate (Porta San Pietro). The tramway has since been decommissioned, and today, the central passage of the gate is pedestrianized, while the side openings allow for vehicle transit.

Walking through Saint Maria’s Gate leads visitors into the heart of Lucca’s medieval streets, where they can explore a labyrinth of historic alleys, Renaissance rooftops, ancient churches, aqueducts, fountains, and charming hidden gardens. The area around the gate is lined with traditional trattorias, artisan shops, and historic cafés, offering a perfect blend of past and present.

The Village Gate (Porta San Pietro) in Lucca is one of the historic entrances to the city's impressive Renaissance walls. These fortifications, completed in 1648, encircle Lucca’s historic center and remain among the best-preserved city walls in Europe. Built with stone, brick, and earthworks, the walls were intended as a defensive measure against the Republic of Florence but never saw military action.

The Village Gate, located on the southern side of the walls, is one of the main points of access to the old town. Over time, it has adapted to the city’s evolving needs. In the 19th century, under the rule of Maria Luisa de Borbón of Spain, Lucca’s walls were transformed from military fortifications into a public promenade. The Village Gate, like other city gates, now serves as a welcoming entrance for both residents and visitors exploring the city’s rich history.

Today, the area around the gate offers a scenic entryway into Lucca’s charming streets, with the fortified walls functioning as a popular green space for walking, cycling, and cultural events. The Village Gate remains a testament to Lucca’s enduring independence and historical significance.

Saint Jacopo's Gate (Porta San Jacopo) is the most recent addition to the fortified walls of Lucca, a city famed for its complete Renaissance-era defensive barrier. Built in 1930, it stands as one of the six main gates allowing access to the historic center. Compared to the older, more elaborate entrances, Saint Jacopo's Gate is architecturally simple, earning it the local nickname “the hole”—a contrast to its grand original name, Porta IV Novembre (Gate of Victory of the 4th of November).

Positioned on the northern side of the city, this single-arched gateway was designed to accommodate modern traffic, which has since intensified. While primarily functional, it also holds historical significance due to an interior inscription from the Fascist era, now partially erased but still faintly visible. Despite its utilitarian design, Saint Jacopo's Gate remains a notable point of entry and a reminder of Lucca’s evolving urban landscape.

Elisa's Gate (Porta Elisa) is the only eastward-facing gate in the Walls of Lucca, a relatively late addition built between 1809 and 1811 during the Napoleonic era. Unlike the city’s other gates, which were named after saints, this one was dedicated to Elisa Baciocchi Bonaparte, Napoleon’s sister and the ruler of Lucca at the time. It was constructed to provide direct access to key destinations like Capannori, Villa Basilica, Pescia, and Florence, a necessity that had previously been avoided due to historical tensions with Florence.

Designed in Neoclassical style, the gate features three arches framed by Tuscan columns supporting a Doric entablature, creating an elegant yet restrained structure. Its white marble stands in stark contrast to the red brick of the surrounding walls, emphasizing its distinctiveness. From the interior, it was conceived as a triumphal arch, leading into the newly planned Via Elisa, which was meant to modernize the city's layout. However, plans to reshape the medieval quarters, including demolishing the Romanesque Porta San Gervasio, were halted after Napoleon’s downfall, leaving only a partial realization of the grand vision.

Today, Elisa's Gate remains a striking historical feature, symbolizing Lucca’s brief Napoleonic chapter and its architectural transition into the 19th century.

Porta San Gervasio is one of the four gates from the 13th century that once formed part of the Walls of Lucca. It was almost completely demolished during the construction of the Renaissance walls (the latter still visible today); the only other similar gate still in place is Porta dei Borghi, located on Via Fillungo.

Also known as dell'Annunziata (the Annunciation gate), Porta San Gervasio was completed in 1255 and was dedicated to Saints Gervasio and Protasio.

The gate has a wide opening, eight meters high, covered by a round arch; the inner lunette carries the image of Madonna and the Child, with two kneeling Saints (probably Gervasio and Protasio) and two Angels uncovering the curtain, as well as a fragment of San Giovannino at the foot of the Virgin.

The two towers, made of gray sandstone with white limestone decorations, originally had battlements and a walkway connecting them at the top. Back in the day, the gate had a drawbridge over a moat; the latter is still preserved and runs opposite Via del Fosso.

Today the two towers are used as private residences. In the top left one, seen from Via del Fosso, Italo Meschi (1887-1957), the guitarist, poet and anarchist-pacifist once lived; while in the right-hand tower, his cousin, painter Alfredo Meschi (1905-1981), had a studio.

The gate underwent restoration in 2006-2007.