Porta San Pietro — Attraction in Lucca

Porta San Pietro is located on the southern side of the city, it was designed by military engineer Alessandro Resta and constructed between 1565 and 1566. This gate is part of the well-preserved 4.2-kilometer wall that encircles Lucca’s historic center, a rare example of intact defensive architecture in Italy.

The gate features three arched openings: the central one, originally for carriages and now used for limited vehicle traffic, and two smaller side arches added in the 19th century for pedestrians. Above the central arch, you’ll find a shield bearing the coat of arms of St. Peter—after whom the gate is named—along with the word “Libertas,” Lucca’s motto, symbolizing its historical independence. Flanking the structure are two stone lions set in niches, remnants of the medieval gate that once stood there, which supported the chains of a drawbridge over a now-vanished moat.

Porta San Pietro isn’t just an architectural relic; it has a vivid historical pulse. On September 5, 1944, it was the entry point for the first Allied troops to liberate...

This is one of the main entrances through the historic walls surrounding Lucca's historic centro. It's the closest way to access the old city from the train, as it's just a few blocks away from the train station, making Lucca very easy to visit as a day trip on foot.

This bridge has separate vehicle and pedestrian passageways below it, and the way is fairly flat, so wheeling your own luggage from the station is manageable. You'll be passing under the 3-mile walking/biking path loop on the fortress walls that surrounds the old city.

To access our self-guided walking tour and other Lucca recommendations, find our blog post by searching: "Intentional Travelers...

Ok, nice from an architectural and historic point of view, but take care of the intense traffic! I did not find this entrance more interesting than the others in the city. You can plan 3 minutes to visit it. It has three arches: a large central arch for cars and two smaller side arches for pedestrians. Under it are hidden military tunnels (sortite), designed for the secret movement of troops. There are guided tour in the tunnels, I don’t know if they even show the...