{{Short description|Old entrance of Siracusa}} {{Infobox building | name = Porta Ligny | image = Porta del castello d’Ortigia.jpg | image_caption = The gate as depicted in an 1892 engraving | coordinates = {{coord|37|03|52.4|N|15|17|30.0|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | alternate_names = Porta Ligne | status = Demolished | building_type = City gate | architectural_style = Baroque | location = Ortygia, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy | construction_start_date = | completion_date = 1673 | renovation_date = After 1693 | demolished_date = 1893 | cost = | material = | architect = }}
'''Porta Ligny''' or '''Porta Ligne''' was the main city gate of the island of Ortygia in Syracuse, Sicily. It was constructed in 1673 and demolished in 1893.
== History == Porta Ligny was constructed in 1673 and it was named after Claude Lamoral, 3rd Prince of Ligne and Viceroy of Sicily. It formed part of the fortifications of Syracuse, which at the time were being upgraded by the Flemish military engineer Carlos de Grunenbergh, and it led towards an inner gate known as the Porta Reale or Porta Carlo V (also demolished). The fortifications were damaged during the 1693 Sicily earthquake, and some alterations were made to the gate during the subsequent repair work, which was also directed by Grunenbergh.<ref name="antoniorandazzo">{{cite web |title=Porta Ligny – Monumenti medievali |url=https://www.antoniorandazzo.it/monumentimedievali/porta-ligny.html |website=antoniorandazzo.it |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807151819/https://www.antoniorandazzo.it/monumentimedievali/porta-ligny.html |archive-date=7 August 2021 |language=Italian}}</ref>
thumb|left|Demolition of the gate in the late 19th century
The gate and its surrounding fortifications were demolished in 1893,<ref name="antoniorandazzo"/> in accordance with an 1890 master plan drawn up by the engineer Pandolfo.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Giuffrida |first1=Alessia |editor1-last=Cantone |editor1-first=Fernanda |editor2-last=La Delfa |editor2-first=Salvatore |title=L'architettura del cantiere. Caratteri e strategie per la gestione degli interventi sul costruito |publisher=Gangemi Editore spa |isbn=9788849273144 |page=31 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RGT4J1g9uVMC&pg=PA31 |language=Italian |chapter=Le tecnologie di facciata nel quartiere umbertino di Siracusa|date=21 February 2012 }}</ref>
== Architecture == The gate consisted of a portal flanked by Solomonic columns, and it was topped by two marble coats of arms; the one of Claude Lamoral is now preserved at the Bellomo Palace Regional Gallery.<ref name="antoniorandazzo"/>
== See also == * Porta Spagnola, a similar gate in Augusta which still exists
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category inline|Porta Ligny (Syracuse)}}
Category:1673 establishments in the Kingdom of Sicily Category:1893 disestablishments in Italy Category:Baroque architecture in Sicily Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1673 Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 1893 Category:Buildings and structures in Syracuse, Sicily Category:City gates Category:Gates in Italy