Photo: Elio Bonanno. The original uploader was Crazychemist1 at Italian Wikipedia., Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Fortress / Tower, 1768
Porta Giuseppe Garibaldi
Triumphal arch in Sicily, Italy
At a glance
- Type
- Fortress / Tower
- Period
- Early modern period, 1768
- Coordinates
- 37°29′59″ N, 15°04′26″ E
About
The Porta Garibaldi, originally built as the Porta Ferdinandea or Porta Ferdinanda, is a triumphal arch, built in 1768, located at the end of Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, between the Piazza Palestro and Piazza Crocifisso in the quartiere Fortino of Catania, region of Sicily, Italy. It was built to celebrate the marriage of the Bourbon king Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies to the Austrian princess Maria Carolina d'Asburgo-Lorena.
The architects of the monument were Francesco Battaglia and Stefano Ittar. The monument is made of alternating white stone from Siracusa and local dark lava blocks. At the top center of the arch is now a clock, surrounded by allegorical symbols, including an eagle and a statue recalling the black elephant (u Liotru), symbol of Catania. Originally, instead of a clock, was a marble bust of the Bourbon king. Flanking this tympanum, at the second level are two angels with trumpets. Flanking these are two sculptural depictions of Trophy of arms. Underneath these displays of weapons and armor are written two phrases: one says Litteris armatur (armed with letters) and the other Armis decoratur (decorated with arms).
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Porta Giuseppe Garibaldi».
Timeline
- 1768Built
Events and people from Wikidata (CC0).
Photos
Getting there
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
Nearby
See on the mapMore fortresses and towers in Sicily
- UNESCO
Frequently asked questions
Where is Porta Giuseppe Garibaldi?
Porta Giuseppe Garibaldi is in Catania, in the province of Catania (Sicily), Italy. GPS coordinates: 37.49964, 15.07389.
How old is Porta Giuseppe Garibaldi?
Wikidata dates it to 1768.
What else is there to see near Porta Giuseppe Garibaldi?
Nearby you’ll find: Palazzo Fassari Pace (600 m away), Thermae of Sant'Antonio (600 m away), Monastero della Santissima Trinità (600 m away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 9 photos
- Il Fortino - Porta Garibaldi Catania — Elio Bonanno. The original uploader was Crazychemist1 at Italian Wikipedia., Public domain
- Catania - Porta Garibaldi - panoramio — giomodica, CC BY 3.0
- Catania -Porta Garibaldi — Antonio Pignato, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Catania Porta Garibaldi 10-04-2025 — Jeanne Griffin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Gezicht op de Porta Garibaldi, Catania Porte Garibaldi, Catane (titel op object), RP-F-F06866 — Rijksmuseum, CC0
- Porta Garibaldi (Catania) 06 02 2015 01 — Effems, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Porta Garibaldi Catania closeup 10-04-2025 — Jeanne Griffin, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Porta Garibaldi Catania Stefao Ittar — Leandro Neumann Ciuffo from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, CC BY 2.0
- Porta Garibaldi Fortino Catania 10-04-25 — Jeanne Griffin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences