Porta dei Borghi (Village Gate), Lucca

Porta dei Borghi is the oldest gateway in the medieval Walls of Lucca. It faces north and was built between 1198 and 1265; the gate was almost completely demolished during the construction of the Renaissance walls. The only other gate of the original four, remaining from the 13th-century circle, is Porta San Gervasio located at the top of Via Santa Croce.

Today Porta dei Borghi marks the end of Via Fillungo, and is incorporated in the more recent, 16th-17th-century fortification, not far from Porta Santa Maria, which in the second half of the 16th century assumed the role of main entrance to the city from the north. The gate has a single central opening (once there were two, but one is now walled up) with two towers on either side.

The two towers, in gray sandstone with white limestone decorations, originally had battlements and a walkway that linked them at the top. Both towers and the upper part of the gate are currently used as private homes.

The gate has a wide entrance, eight meters high, covered by a round arch. Inside there is an ancient fresco, framed by a lunette, depicting Madonna with the Child, restored in 2008 by the Municipality of Lucca.

Sight description based on Wikipedia.

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Sight Name: Porta dei Borghi (Village Gate)
Sight Location: Lucca, Italy (See walking tours in Lucca)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Lucca's City Wall and Gates

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.

Lucca's City Wall and Gates

As one of Italy's Citt脿 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.

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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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 鈥� Casa... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles

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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: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles

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