Palermo, Italy | C.1584
When Charles V conquered Tunis in 1535, the Senate went wild and commissioned a triumphal gate to commemorate his visit to Palermo. Built in 1583, the original Porta Nuova lasted 84 years before a gunpowder depot stored inside exploded in 1667, obliterating it entirely. Architect Gaspare Guercio rebuilt it two years later, adding the distinctive majolica-tiled pyramid roof. Four enormous telamons depict defeated Moors, reportedly with severed arms on some figures, a stark reminder of colonial conquest that still anchors the entrance to the city’s oldest street.
The gate has now stood twice as long in its second form as it did in its first, which feels like the kind of statistic Palermo would find satisfying. Traffic circles it constantly. Nobody circles back to check on the eagle on the roof, but it’s still flying.
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Not only the oldest theatre in Palermo’s historic city center, it also has often performed one of Bellini’s most quintessential operas, il pirata, a woeful and lovelorn tale filled with vengeance starring Pirate Captain Gaultiero and Duchess Imogene.
This weirdly wonderful palace was the result of a most fortunate twist of fate. A punishment only fit for a King — exile in Sicily.
For years, the works of a master artist were known to only those who could enter this important prayer room.
This floating castle appears to be from an enchanted fable, but in actuality it is Europe's best preserved Renaissance water castle.
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This state capitol building, constructed by three architects in different styles, still stands today thanks to an exterior staircase supporting the Eastern façade.
This fixture of British culture was nearly destroyed in World War II after five German bombs were dropped on the palace on Friday the 13th, 1940.
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