Lucca, via dello Stadio
At the beginning of 1930s, despite the enthusiasm and encouragement of the local community, sporting exhibitions weren’t well developed. Sporting events were constrained due to the lack of a stadium which could host enough spectators. It was necessary to build a multi-use equipped playing field. At the 16 January 1933 Council sitting, Lucca Municipality decided to build the city stadium in Viale Agostino Marti, between Porta Elisa and ex Piazza d’Armi.
With an invitation to tender, the plan, broadly designed by The Engineering and Design Department of the Municipality, was taken on contract for the two designers of “Stadio Mussolini” in Torino, Bianchini and together with Mannozzi in Firenze. The building contract was taken by S.A.L.A.C.E. in Lucca.
Today it is still the home ground of Lucchese.
Stadio Porta Elisa remains the most important sport centre in Lucca Province, and the property of the Municipality of Lucca. The building is in Arancio, a suburban area with a beautiful view of the city and its Walls. The plan configuration is defined by the block created by Viale della Circonvallazione, Via A. Gramsci, Via N. Barbantini and Via dello Stadio. Its total surface area is 5330 m2 and it is rounded by a brick wall which echoes the nearby city walls. The structure is characterised by trees and green areas along the internal east and west side. The west wing of the wall is interesting for a sequence of stone repetitions built in the style of the typical bulwarks of Lucca walls. Originally just one tier of seats was built and it was located perpendicular to the ring road in order not to block panoramic views of the Walls.
The field dimensions are 110 x 68 metres. Originally it was surrounded by an earth track where both athletic and cycling matches took place; along the sidelines, throwing and jumping matches took place. The recent renovation removed these structures for safety reasons.
The two tiers of seats, one in front of the other, are realized in reinforced cement according to its first plan. The uncovered terrace along Via Gramsci was enlarged in a second time adding some flights of steps up to the playing field.
The architecturally most interesting part of the stadium is the covered stand (South Wing), achieved with a load-bearing reinforced cement and traditional stone structure.
The terrace is 100 meters long and it is supported by a series of load bearing reinforced cement boards. They are visible from the street side and are spaced out by windows which outline the changing rooms, storage facilities, a small gym, connecting hallways, and an underground passageway to the playing field.
Along the West Wing there is a reinforced cement tower where the flag is hoisted when there is a match.
The covering of the South terrace is deeply embossed and realised in reinforced cement, according to the original plan of the second mid 1930s. It has been recently restored.
The sloping roof is characterised by an embossed t-section built with steel casts.
For some years, Curva Ovest (West Wing) has been reinforced with a metallic and cement prefabricated structure due to safety and capacity problems. Porta Elisa Stadium’s originally claimed seated capacity of about 12.000; the recent safety regulations reduced it to a seated capacity of 7400.
It is equipped with systems of high functionality, following best engineering practices. Recently, a modern a video surveillance system has been installed.
The stadium is one of our most recent customers and we are still offering our consultancy.
