Porta Nuova

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Porta Nuova. Cosa vedere e come visitare

Thanks to the Vie dei Tesori, you can see one of the historic entrances to the city from a different perspective! The strategic location marks the border with the ancient Cassaro. Don't miss the monumental Porta Nuova, located near the Palazzo dei Normanni. It has been the most important access to the city for centuries. You can admire representations of four Turks, two without arms and the others in a submissive pose.

The Porta Nuova is the most monumental gate in the city, erected next to the Royal Palace. It overlooks the Corso Vittorio Emanuele and the Corso Calatafimi. Built in 1569-70, it was designed to give a scenic end to the city's most important street. The architect Giorgio di Faccio and his assistants were responsible for the first order and the decorative elements both inside and outside. The upper orders were executed in 1583/84 by the engineer Giovanni Antonio Salamone, followed by Giovan Battista Collipietra. Almost completely destroyed by an explosion in 1667, it was rebuilt in the following two years under the direction of Gaspare Guercio, the Senate's architect who also created all the sculptures, including the pair of Moors on the northern pillar. In 1825, the arch and a large part of the interior were decorated in neoclassical style. The decoration of the pinnacle is the work of Onofrio Cosentino, who created a golden senatorial eagle on the four faces of this pyramid. The Moors decorating the first order facing the road to Monreale celebrate the African triumph of Charles V. The interior facade is more measured, conceived as a triumphal arch, with the imposing round arch opening, flanked by two pairs of sober pilasters that stretch from the high and anonymous plinths to the lush entablature. On the third order, on each of the two fronts, there is a graceful loggia of Renaissance design.

Don't miss the breathtaking view from Porta Nuova: the axis of Corso Calatafimi towards Monreale and the axis of Corso Vittorio Emanuele towards the sea.