Antica Porta San Donato (Old San Donato's Gate), Lucca
The Antica Porta San Donato is a westward gateway in the ancient Walls of Lucca. Located on the left side of today's Piazzale Verdi, the gate was built in 1590 to a design by Matteo Civitali. The architect added to the construction a massive bulwark, since the medieval wall in this part of the city was considered weak.
On the upper sides of the façade there are two marble statues of lions. The outer moat, that is still partially visible, was once fitted with a drawbridge. The fortification had a relatively short service life – only about 50 years, when the city's defensive system was expanded and the new Porta San Donato was built, between 1629 and 1639, leaving the old gate enclosed within the walls.
The old San Donato gate was the site of the very last execution in Italy – beheading by the guillotine – that took place on 29 July 1845. Today, the gate is one of Lucca's most popular attractions and houses the municipal tourist office.
On the upper sides of the façade there are two marble statues of lions. The outer moat, that is still partially visible, was once fitted with a drawbridge. The fortification had a relatively short service life – only about 50 years, when the city's defensive system was expanded and the new Porta San Donato was built, between 1629 and 1639, leaving the old gate enclosed within the walls.
The old San Donato gate was the site of the very last execution in Italy – beheading by the guillotine – that took place on 29 July 1845. Today, the gate is one of Lucca's most popular attractions and houses the municipal tourist office.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Lucca. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Antica Porta San Donato (Old San Donato's Gate) on Map
Sight Name: Antica Porta San Donato (Old San Donato's Gate)
Sight Location: Lucca, Italy (See walking tours in Lucca)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Lucca, Italy (See walking tours in Lucca)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Lucca, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Lucca
Creating your own self-guided walk in Lucca is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Puccini's Lucca
One of the greatest musical talents of mankind, Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, was born and spent a substantial part of his life in the Tuscan city of Lucca. Today the legacy of Puccini resonates all over the world and even more so here.
Puccini's ancestors, also musicians, moved to Lucca in 1719. The future maestro was born in a house that had belonged to his family since 1815 – Casa... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Puccini's ancestors, also musicians, moved to Lucca in 1719. The future maestro was born in a house that had belonged to his family since 1815 – Casa... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Lucca's City Wall and Gates
As one of Italy's Città d'arte's (arts towns), Lucca is famous, among other things, for its well-preserved ancient walls encircling the historic center. From about 570 AD until 1847 the city had been the center of the Longobard administration and the capital of old Tuscany, and as such required a defense system to render it an impenetrable fortress.
Back in the Middle Ages, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Back in the Middle Ages, the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Lucca Introduction Walking Tour
Lucca is called many things: a city of arts, a city of churches, gardens, towers. Most of all it is known for its walls. From Roman times until now the walls have stood. It is the only city in Italy that has kept its walls intact.
The inner walled city is laid out in the ancient Roman grid plan. The Piazza San Michele is the site of the old forum. Bits of the Roman amphitheater can be found in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The inner walled city is laid out in the ancient Roman grid plan. The Piazza San Michele is the site of the old forum. Bits of the Roman amphitheater can be found in... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles