Porta di San Gervasio, Lucca Travel Guide

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Explore Porta di San Gervasio, a captivating medieval gate in Lucca's historic walls, offering a glimpse into the city's rich past.

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Porta di San Gervasio

Porta di San Gervasio, also known as Porta Santi Gervasio e Protasio, is a historic gate that stands as a testament to Lucca's medieval past. Constructed in 1255 as part of the city's 13th-century walls, it offers a glimpse into the architectural and defensive strategies of the time.

A brief summary to Porta di San Gervasio

Via Santa Croce, 90, Lucca, Province of Lucca, 55100, IT
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Porta di San Gervasio.

Walk or cycle along the city walls for a unique perspective of Lucca.
Visit during the spring or autumn for pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
Take a stroll along Via del Fosso, which follows the path of the old moat.

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Explore Porta di San Gervasio on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Porta di San Gervasio, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

From Piazza Napoleone, walk north along Via Fillungo, Lucca's main shopping street. Continue onto Via Santa Croce. Porta di San Gervasio will be on your right. The walk is approximately 15 minutes. No costs involved.
Public Transport

From the Lucca train station, take a bus towards the city center. Get off at the bus stop closest to Piazza Verdi. From there, walk north along Via Fillungo, then continue onto Via Santa Croce. The Porta di San Gervasio will be on your right. A single bus ticket costs approximately €1.20.
Taxi

From the Lucca train station, a taxi ride to Porta di San Gervasio will take approximately 5-10 minutes, depending on traffic. Taxi stands are available at the train station. The estimated cost is €9.00, which is the minimum race cost.

Discover more about Porta di San Gervasio

Porta di San Gervasio, or St. Gervasio's Gate, is one of the four gates from the 13th century that once formed part of the Walls of Lucca. Also known as dell'Annunziata (the Annunciation gate), it was completed in 1255 and 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.While the walls were initially built for defensive purposes, they were never truly put to the test in battle. Today, the walls serve as a recreational area for locals and tourists alike. Visitors can stroll or cycle along the top of the walls, enjoying panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscape.