Porta San Francesco
Porta San Francesco is a gate in San Marino's third circle of walls and the entrance to the historic city center. In Italian, it is also known as “Porta del Lucho” (Gate of the Place). It used to be a watchtower and next to the vault of the gate, you can still read an inscription from the 17th century that warns against passing through with weapons under threat of severe punishment. There are also two coats of arms from the time of the first construction on the arch, the coat of arms of San Marino and that of the Feltresca family. The purpose of the guard post was to defend against the army of the Malatesta family.
Construction period
Originally constructed in 1361, the gate was first expanded in 1451 and again in 1581. The prominent balcony with machicolations above the passage and the battlements on the tower date from the 16th-century restoration. The moat, which used to have a drawbridge, was filled in and is no longer visible today.
Facts
- Location: Historic center of the City of San Marino
- Other names: Porta del Lucho (Italian for “Gate of the Place”)
- Built: 1361
- San Marino coin motif: 2 euro cent coin from the second series
Porta San Francesco Note
This unique souvenir note from the San Marino Series was developed in cooperation with the Poste San Marino and is dedicated to the Porta San Francesco. It is printed on genuine banknote paper and has several modern security features such as UV ink and a gold foil patch in the shape of a coat of arms of San Marino. The obverse is designed vertically and depicts the gate. The horizontal reverse shows a view of the Second Tower and the “Witches' Pass” (Passo delle Streghe). The path that runs between the fortifications on Mount Titano owes its name to old stories about young women who are said to have gathered on the mountain to dance around bonfires. The San Marino Series, which comprises a total of eight souvenir notes, is also available in a booklet with lots of information and pictures.
Obverse: Porta San Francesco, entrance gate to the historic center of the City of San Marino, national coat of arms of San Marino, motto “Libertas” (Latin for "freedom")
Reverse: Witches' Pass, path connecting the first two towers of San Marino on Monte Titano, national coat of arms of San Marino, motto “Libertas” (Latin for "freedom")
| Dimensions: 145 x 70 mm (5.71 x 2.76 in) Material: Paper |
