Located in the Santa Croce district, Porta Santa Margherita is the ancient northern gateway to the town of Atessa in the province of Chieti. The gate was built in the early Middle Ages. It was the most important gate, as it connected the city to the coastal cities.
Porta Santa Margherita Atessa
Useful information
Address: Via Menotti De Francesco – Atessa. The monument can be viewed from outside.
History and description
Although the exact year of its construction is not known (estimates range from the 6th to the 11th century), it is clear that this must have been during the early Middle Ages.
We do know that it already existed in the 14th century, because it was named after the Santa Margherita Church, built next to the gate but outside the city walls (which no longer exists today).
From the beginning of the 15th century, the gate became a stronghold against bandits who made the area unsafe.
The Porta Santa Margherita was the northern gateway to Atessa and it was also the most important one, as merchandise from Lanciano and Chieti (and in fact the entire coast) entered the city here.