Porta Nuova

Renaissance gate with carved Moorish telamones from 1583

This massive gate was built in 1583 along the Cassaro to commemorate Charles V's entrance into the city after his victory in Tunis in 1535. The lower section of the outer front was damaged and rebuilt in 1669. The carved telamones on the facade depict defeated Moors and are striking, if unsettling.

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