PORTA DEI GRECI

The ancient Porta Dei Greci was not located in the place where actually is, but before the widening of the city walls, it was in the actual 4th April Street, in front of Palagonia Palace. It took its name from the Kalsa district, that was inhabited by greek populations. In 1550 the viceroy Giovanni De Vega started a winning military campaign in Africa and he did his triumphal entry on this gate. For this reason it is also called “De Vega” or “D’Africa”. The gate was surmounted by a two-heads eagle, with an imperial crown, and a coat-of-arms of emperor Carl II on the chest.