In this video below I am here at the Porta Nuova section of Palermo, a tourist zone. This area is now a pedestrian area with many stores, restaurants, ice cream shops, pubs, etc.
Porta Nuova is a Norman-Baroque style door that leads into the historical center of Palermo.
At one time the city was encapsulated by a wall and the only way to enter the city was through one of the doors.
The Original Name
It was first called Porta dell’Acquila or in Italian the Eagles Door. You can actually see an image of an eagle on the top part of the monument. Afterwards, the people renamed it to the current name of Porta Nuova, which means new door into the city.
Spanish Conquest
The Spanish erected it in 1535 to celebrate Charles V King of Spain and Italy’s conquest of Tunis, what is now Northern Africa.
On the monument there are two Turk statues depicted. One of the statues has arms crossed to depict submission. The other one with no arms to depict the consequences for theft.
They wanted to send a message that theft was not allowed in this new regime.
Cathedrals of Palermo
Continuing to the left past the monument lies the main cathedral of Palermo (Cattedrale di Palermo).
The name of the road is Via Vittorio Emanuele and heads into the main historical center of Palermo.
Heading in the other direction lies a hillside town outside of Palermo called Monreale. The name of that road that leads to Monreale is Corso Calatafimi.
There is a famous cathedral in that town (Cattedrale di Monreale) that has a lot of interior golden mosaic tiles, marble, very beautifully done.
And if you were to go to the right of the Porta Nuova lies the Palazzo Normanni, or also known as the Palazzo Reale or Royal Palace of Palermo.
You may be interested in: Visit Palermo Travel Book
Visit the famous outdoor, Arab-style street market in Palermo called Ballarò
Looking at Porta Nuova from Via Vittorio Emanuele, in Palermo. Click to enlarge.
