Studi e rilievi sulla Porta di San Lorenzo delle Mura Veneziane di Bergamo

The Porta di San Lorenzo, part of the Venetian Walls of Bergamo and recently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is a significant case in the historical and functional evolution of the city’s defensive system, although less well-known than other structures. Built during the major fortification works, it was the first gate to be constructed and the smallest in size. Its north-west orientation marked the start of the road commissioned by Rector Alvise Priuli, the only strategic route for the Republic of Venice’s trade toward Central Europe. Its original position, at the bottom of a ravine, along with the shallow moat and poorly placed gunports, made it vulnerable to attacks. Consequently, it was walled up in 1605 and rebuilt after 1627 to a design by Francesco Tensini. The new layout adopted an innovative approach aimed at reinforcing security and integrating advanced technical measures to prevent sabotage, as part of a broader strategy to render Bergamo impregnable. The University of Bergamo has launched an interdisciplinary study involving the Survey & Analysis of Built Environment team (SABE) and the Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences (DISA) to examine the construction phases and current eterioration through both traditional and advanced survey techniques (3D laser scanning and digital photogrammetry). The virtual models produced supported the stratigraphic interpretation and the reconstruction of the building phases.