Porta Nuova

Palermo, Italy

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:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1535-1584
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

pegah esmaili (3 months ago)
Porta Nuova, which means "New Gate," is a famous historical monument and the entrance to Palermo, Sicily. It is located at the northern end of the Norman Palace, at the beginning of Corso Calatafimi, and serves as the entryway to the Cassaro, the city's oldest and most important avenue. According to historian Tommaso Fazello, the first gate was built in the 15th century and was known as Porta dell'Aquila, or Eagle Gate. However, the people of Palermo lovingly renamed it Porta Nuova, a name that has remained. This aristocratic entrance received extensive renovations in the sixteenth century to commemorate Emperor Charles V's victory against the Ottoman Turks in Tunis. A catastrophic explosion in 1667 nearly destroyed the gate, but it was later reconstructed under the expert supervision of Gaspare Gruccio, who also created the sculptures. The façade facing Piazza Indipendenza is ornamented with four powerful pillars, each with images of Moors conquered by the brave Charles V. Visitors are welcome to view this architectural gem from the outside at no cost.
MD SHAKIL (4 months ago)
It's a part of Norman palace.. An old architecture .. From Porta Nuova to Porta felice the road via Vittorio Emmanuele (One of the ancient road).
Ufuk Yüksekkaya (9 months ago)
Porta Nuova in Palermo, built in 1583, is a stunning city gate that showcases the city's rich history. Originally constructed to commemorate Charles V's triumphal entry, its striking architecture blends Renaissance and Baroque styles. The gate features intricate reliefs and statues, including a dramatic depiction of the Battle of Lepanto. Standing as a symbol of victory and protection, Porta Nuova is a must-see landmark for visitors exploring the vibrant past of Palermo.
Yll Bajrami (9 months ago)
Wow what a beautiful gate must be visited if you are in Palermo. Nice area with cool restaurants and coffee shops.
Devansh (10 months ago)
A grand gate busy with traffic and adjacent to the main Palermo Palazzo dei Normanni. Good architectural works on it. It’s next to the palace which is exquisite.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Walls of Constantinople

The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.

Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.