Porta Nuova in Palermo
Porta Nuova in Palermo is the most monumental gate in the city . It was built next to the Palazzo Reale , with its sumptuous mass on one side on Corso Vittorio Emanuele , on the other on Corso Calatafimi . < br> It was built by the Senate of Palermo in the years 1569-70, based on a design by Giorgio di Faccio, on the site of a pre-existing Porta dell'Aquila. The purpose was to give one a scenographic aspect at the end of the most important street in the city. In 1583 the higher orders were carried out at the behest of the Viceroy Marcantonio Colonna, based on a project by Giovanni Antonio Salamone. Almost completely destroyed by an explosion in 1667, it was rebuilt in the following two years under the direction of Gaspare Guercio who was also the author of all the sculptures.
The interior of the door is decorated in a neoclassical style. In the four faces of the cusp is represented a golden senatorial eagle, the work of Onofrio Cosentino. The first order is decorated with Moors who look at the road leading to Monreale, celebrating the African triumph of Charles V.
The imposing opening of the round arch emerges from the internal façade. The arch is flanked by two pairs of pilasters that extend up to the luxuriant entablature frame. In the third order, on each of the two fronts, there is a graceful loggia of Renaissance design.
