Porta Nuova (Palermo)

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Porta Nuova
2009-03-22 03-29 Sizilien 099 Palermo, Porta Nuova (3412440502).jpg
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General information
Architectural styleBaroque
LocationPalermo
CountryItaly
Coordinates38°06′44″N 13°21′10″E / 38.11222°N 13.35278°E / 38.11222; 13.35278
Construction started1583
Completed1669
Design and construction
ArchitectGaspare Guercio
Telamones

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 (the way to Monreale) and is located beside Palazzo dei Normanni, royal palace of Palermo. The gate was built to celebrate Charles V's conquest of Tunis (1535) and his visit to the capital of the Kingdom of Sicily.[1]

History[]

According to the historian Tommaso Fazello the original gate was built in the 15th century.[2] The building was initially called "Porta dell'Aquila" (Gate of the Eagle), but the people of Palermo got used to call it "Porta Nuova" ("New Gate").[2]

After Charles V's conquest of Tunis, the Emperor came to Sicily. He entered in Palermo through this gate on 5 September 1535.[2] In order to commemorate this event, the Senate of Palermo decreed to rebuild the gate in a more sumptuous style.[2] The Viceroy of Sicily Marcantonio Colonna set off the construction in 1583.[2] The gate was completed in 1584.[2] The Viceroy renamed it "Porta Austriaca" (Austrian Gate).[2] For this reason the building was also called "Porta Imperiale" (Imperial Gate).[2] But nevertheless, the name "Porta Nuova" continues to be used.

The gate was destroyed in 1667 because of a fire erupted inside the warehouse of the building.[2] The Senate of Palermo commissioned the architect Gaspare Guercio to rebuild the gate. The work was completed in 1669.[2]

Description[]

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

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Porta Nuova". palermoviva.it.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Gaspare Palermo, Guida istruttiva per potersi conoscere tutte le magnificenze della Città di Palermo, Volume terzo, Palermo, Reale Stamperia, 1816, p. 3-5".

External links[]

Media related to Porta Nuova (Palermo) at Wikimedia Commons

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