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:

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Castles and fortifications in Italy

User Reviews

Devansh (7 months ago)
A grand gate busy with traffic and adjacent to the main Palermo Palazzo dei Normanni. Good architectural works on it.

mariia s (8 months ago)
Porta nuova is really nice. A real landmark near Royal Palace

Monty M. (10 months ago)
Although rundown, this historic landmark is worth visiting. The detail within the face sculptures are especially notable.

Efstratios Manolakis (10 months ago)
Nice historic landmark in Palermo. It marks the beginning of the old city which ends at the port.

Enrique MARTINEZ (2 years ago)
Star at this location of Porta nuova and head towards the to visit the iconic cathedral and other main sightseeing points of Palermo!!!

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