Pescara Gate in Cefalù
Porta Pescara in Cefalù is a door that opens onto the sea of the old port and belongs to the medieval walls built to defend the city from pirate attacks.
The door, also known as Porta del Vicerè or as Porta sul Mare , is the only surviving door of the four originally present. The other gates were demolished together with the demolition of part of the walls.
The gate, in late medieval style, has a Gothic arch surmounted by the coat of arms of the kings of Sicily. It was built during the Ventimiglia regency between 1200 and 1300, and contains the remains of small columns dating back to the same period. In 1570 the gate underwent an extension and restructuring work by the will of the viceroy of Sicily, Francesco Ferdinando d’Avalos. The Viceroy was also Marquis of Pescara, so his name was given to the gate.
