Today Traivel helps you discover one of the most beautiful gates in Lecce: Porta Napoli...
Near the entrance to Lecce stands a Triumphal Arch, known as Porta Napoli, which represents one of the main accesses to the city's historical center, along with two other gates: Porta San Biagio and Porta Rudiae.
The history of Porta Napoli begins with its construction, commissioned in honor of Emperor Charles V, who ordered the fortress to be built to protect the city, replacing the previous Porta San Giusto. The construction was strongly supported by the citizens and by Ferrante Loffredo, president of the Province of Terra d'Otranto, as a tribute to the power and empire of Charles V of Habsburg. The name Porta Napoli derives from the fact that it represented the route towards the consular road leading to Naples.
It is believed that Porta Napoli was designed by the military architect Gian Giacomo dell’Acaya, and underwent modifications in the 19th century, when sections of the surrounding walls were removed.
The arch features a single round arch flanked by Corinthian columns on both sides, which support a triangular tympanum adorned with the imperial coat of arms of Charles V of Habsburg. The tympanum is decorated with representations of cannons and armor, recalling Roman triumphal arches.
Below the tympanum, an inscription honors Emperor Charles V as conqueror of rebellious Christians and scourge of the Turks, commemorating his support in defending his domains in Terra d'Otranto against Turkish incursions. The inscription reads:
"To Emperor Caesar Charles V, august triumphator, in the Indies, in Gaul, and in Africa; subduer of rebellious Christians, terror and extermination of the Turks; propagator of the Christian religion throughout the world with deeds and councils; during the government of this province by Ferrante Loffredo, who kept the Turks and enemies of the empire away from the coasts of Salento and Japigia; the University and the people of Lecce gratefully dedicated this arch to his greatness and majesty, in the year 1548."
Next to Porta Napoli, the University of Salento has carried out archaeological excavations that have unearthed burials enriched with precious Messapian funerary artifacts.
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