Street and the Porta Catania Gate in Taormina, March 2005

MESSINA GATE AND CATANIA GATE

In ancient times Taormina was protected by a circuit of walls with a triple fortification system, which from the north on the side looking towards Messina continued in a north-east direction and ended in the west on the side looking towards Catania. Traces of these walls can still be seen today not only in the centre of the city where the clock-tower stands, but also at the two furthest ends of the city where there are two entrances, commonly called Porta Messina and Porta Catania.

Porta Messina, restored at the beginning of the 19th century, was named Porta Ferdinanda when it was opened in 1808 by Ferdinand IV of Bourbon. There is a tablet commemorating the occasion on the top of its arch.

Porta Catania on the other hand is the end result of various changes and restorations, the last of which were performed in 1440 by the Aragonese. The Aragonese coat-of-arms sculpted in relief above the city coat-of-arms in the centre on the top part of the gate.

Text from: www.taormina-ol.it/taormina/taormina_12.htm