Porta San Biagio (St. Biagio Gate), Lecce

San Biagio Gate is one of the three historic gates providing access to the ancient heart of the city. It is named after Saint Biagio, the 4th-century bishop of Sebaste in Armenia who was originally born in Lecce. It was rebuilt in 1774 on the site of an earlier medieval gate commissioned by Charles V. The gate’s reconstruction is noted by a Latin inscription crowning the structure.

Designed in the distinctive Barocco Leccese style, San Biagio Gate features pairs of smooth columns resting on tall bases and is adorned with the coats of arms of King Ferdinand IV of Naples and the city of Lecce. A statue of Saint Biagio, dressed as a bishop, adds a spiritual touch to the gate’s decoration.

Standing approximately 17.3 meters high, the gate historically regulated access to the city, protecting it from potential invasions by barbarians and pirates. Both its exterior and interior facades display artistic details that invite careful observation, reflecting Lecce’s rich architectural heritage.