Porta Nuova, Palermo, Italy - SpottingHistory.com

Porta Nuova is a monumental city gate of Palermo. It represents the entrance of the Cassaro (the main and most ancient street of the city) from Corso Calatafimi (the way to Monreale) and is located beside Palazzo dei Normanni, royal palace of Palermo.

According to the historian Tommaso Fazello the original gate was built in the 15th century. After the Charles V's conquest of Tunis, the Emperor came to Sicily. He entered in Palermo through this gate on 5 September 1535. In order to commemorate this event, the Senate of Palermo decreed to rebuild the gate in a more sumptuous style. The Viceroy of Sicily Marcantonio Colonna set off the construction in 1583. The gate was completed in 1584.

The gate was destroyed in 1667 because of a fire erupted inside the warehouse of the building. The Senate of Palermo commissioned the architect Gaspare Guercio to rebuild the gate. The work was completed in 1669.

The facade leading to the Cassaro has the typical style of the triumphal arches. The facade leading to the Corso Calatifimi and Piazza Indipendenza presents four big telamones depicting the Moors defeated by Charles V.

References:

Wikipedia

Castles and fortifications in Italy

User Reviews

Paul Warren (6 months ago)
Fabulous place to visit!

Eela Tamizhan (12 months ago)
Nice old place. The value of antiquity is diminished there as they replace some of the new ones. It can be well understood by the audience. The price is a bit high considering there are a lot of closed places.

Pawel W (13 months ago)
Beautiful and scenic gate! Multiple options for a photoshoot and there are two parks nearby - worth visiting!

pts pts (2 years ago)
Shockingly large and preserved fortress gate

ari prass (2 years ago)
Impresive tower gate of city entrance. Stunning design.

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