Porta San Tomaso
The first thing you notice at Porta San Tomaso is the Istrian stone — white, almost luminous against the brick of the walls on either side, cut into the proportions of a Roman triumphal arch. This is the grandest of Treviso's three surviving Renaissance gates, and it was built in a single ten-month sprint in 1518, at the tail end of a war that had nearly broken Venice's grip on the mainland.
Today, only pedestrians and cyclists pass through the central arch. A Lion of San Marco watches from the outer facade, placed there in 1857 to replace whatever came before. Step through and look back: a Latin inscription runs across the interior face, the kind of thing you'd walk past quickly if you didn't stop to read it.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who come back tend to time it for early morning, when the stone catches the light cleanly and the cyclists threading through the arch give it a sense of ongoing, unhurried life. The information boards are worth a few minutes — the story of the 2011 restoration uncovering 16th-century frescoes is genuinely surprising for a gate you can walk through for free.
The story behind Porta San Tomaso
Porta San Tomaso was completed in 1518, commissioned by podestà Paolo Nani — the gate was initially called Porta Nana in his honour — during the final phase of the War of the League of Cambrai. Venice had been badly exposed on the terraferma and responded by contracting the military engineer Fra' Giovanni Giocondo and Commander Bartolomeo d'Alviano to overhaul Treviso's defences entirely. Twelve medieval gates were consolidated into three, and the old walls were replaced with a trapezoidal bastioned system. The designer of this gate is attributed, on stylistic grounds, to Guglielmo d'Alzano, known as "il Bergamasco," though no document confirms it.
The gate accumulated names across the centuries — Porta Napoleona, then Porta Mazzini — before its original dedication to Thomas Becket was restored. A tram line ran through the arch from 1910 to 1938. The most recent major restoration, completed around 2012 at a cost of approximately €700,000, stripped away decades of smog and revealed frescoes that had been hidden since the 16th century.
Good to know
Treviso Centrale station is a 15-minute walk south; from Venice, the regional train takes about 30 minutes. Entry is free at all hours. The gate sits naturally at the start of a full circuit of the city walls — the complete loop runs roughly 4.5 km. Spring and early autumn offer the most comfortable walking weather.
Spring — particularly mid-April through May — and September are the most reliable seasons for walking the walls, though May brings frequent rain. Summer afternoons can turn genuinely hot, with July averaging around 25°C and occasional heat waves pushing well above 35°C; mornings are a better bet. Winter is cold and damp, with the stone taking on a grey, stark quality that has its own appeal.
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What travellers say about Porta San Tomaso
We went to the restaurant when we visited Treviso in May, and this restaurant was the best experience we had .. the food was so good and ambiance with outdoor seating was amazing.. the staff are very friendly and they speak English and were very helpful in helping us choosing their best dishes The chef sent us a complimentary plate to taste and it was just like the rest of the food , really good Will sure go again when in Treviso 🩷
I had the pleasure of dining twice at Mercato San Tomaso, and it was an absolute delight. From the moment we stepped inside, we were greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere that instantly put us at ease. The food was simply exquisite. Every dish we ordered was a masterpiece, bursting with authentic Italian flavors. Whether you're a fan of classic dishes like carbonara or adventurous enough to try something new, the menu offers something for everyone. The service was impeccable. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and made us feel like valued guests. They were happy to recommend dishes, answer our questions, and ensure that we had everything we needed. To top it off, the prices were very reasonable for the quality of food and service we received. It's clear that Mercato San Tomaso offers exceptional value for money. If you're looking for a delicious, cozy, and affordable Italian restaurant, I highly recommend giving Mercato San Tomaso a try. You won't be disappointed!
Amazing. One of the best steak ever had. Surely I tasted the most of the potential the foods have.
My dishes were exquisite 😻😻. The somalier was very knowledgeable and recommended a delicious local red wine at very reasonable price 🤜🤛.
I discovered this restaurant after seeing it on the program Quattro Ristoranti, and it really piqued my curiosity. The restaurant is intimate, with only a few seats, but very elegant. The menu offers a wide selection of appetizers, first courses, and second courses, all made with top-quality ingredients. I tried an appetizer and a first course: both were spectacular! (You can already tell from the photos, but it's even better in person.) I highly recommend it: the prices are in line with the quality of the dishes and the refined atmosphere. The staff is young, friendly, and very attentive. If I'm ever in the area again, I'll definitely be back!
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