Antica Porta San Donato (Old San Donato's Gate), Lucca

The Old San Donato’s Gate (Antica Porta San Donato) is a historic gateway in Lucca, marking a significant point in the city's defensive evolution. Located in Verdi Square (Piazzale Verdi), the gate faces west and was constructed in 1590 following the design of Vincenzo Civitali. This addition to the medieval walls aimed to reinforce a vulnerable part of the city's defenses with the inclusion of a musone bulwark. However, its function was short-lived, as the city’s defensive strategy changed, leading to the construction of the new Porta San Donato between 1629 and 1639, which ultimately replaced the older gate and incorporated it into Lucca’s expanding fortifications.

Despite its diminished role in military defense, the Old San Donato’s Gate retains its monumental façade, adorned with two marble lions that originally stood on a medieval door. It once featured a drawbridge spanning an external moat, a feature now lost to time but still partially visible.

The gate holds additional historical significance beyond its military function. It was the site of Italy’s last execution by guillotine on July 29, 1845, marking a somber chapter in the nation’s history. Today, rather than serving as a passage for soldiers or convicts, the Old San Donato’s Gate welcomes visitors, housing Lucca’s tourist information office. It remains a popular stop for those exploring the city's well-preserved Renaissance walls, offering a glimpse into Lucca’s layered past where medieval, Renaissance, and modern influences converge.