Panorama showing a view of Florence from the southern banks of the Arno River near to Pescaia Di San Niccolo weir.

Porta San Niccolò - Florence visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Porta San Niccolò' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Tuscany.

Porta San Niccolò (St. Nicholas Gate) was one of the gates in the old city walls of Florence. Today, the tall gate stands like an isolated tower in Piazza Giuseppe Poggi next to the southern banks of the Arno River. As a result it is sometimes called the 'Torre San Niccolò' (Tower of St. Nicholas).

Porta San Niccolò was built in 1324 by Andrea Orcagna and, unlike all the other gates was not reduced in height during the siege of Florence in 1529. In the arch above the gate is a fresco of 'Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist and St. Nicholas of Bari'. On the northern bank stood Zecca gate, forming a formidable river defence for Florence.

Behind Porta San Niccolò rises Mons Fiorentinus, often called San Miniato hill after the Basilica di San Miniato al Monte found on the top. Also near the top of this hill are Piazzale Michelangelo, with stunning views over Florence, and the small church of San Salvatore al Monte.

Bus: Lupo - Il Chiosco Potenza (12, 23, 71, D)