A group of pilgrims embark on a long train journey to the sanctuary of Loreto, where they hope to receive a miracle.

The different characters in the film meet during the journey, which gives them an opportunity to get to know and comfort each other.
They include a young man without a family with paralysis in his legs (Cristiano Cristiani), accompanied by a young friend (Maria Mercader); a wealthy merchant (Giovanni Grasso) with two nephews, who accompany him mainly because they are interested in his inheritance; and a young worker (Massimo Girotti) who has lost his sight. A celebrated pianist whose career has been cut short by the sudden paralysis of his left hand and who wants to make a last-ditch attempt to recover before committing suicide. The journey will change them, perhaps not as they expected….

After “I Bambini ci Guardano” (The Children are Watching Us) a film that marks the first full collaboration between Vittorio de Sica and Cesare Zavattini, “La Porta del Cielo” (The Gates of Heaven) is the second film based on a screenplay written by this incomparable duo and represents a fundamental step towards Neorealism.