Porta Oscura and Clock Tower
Photo: Ignazio Caloggero
It is the oldest gate of the city, probably already existing at the time of the Carthaginians, when there were four watchtowers and as many access gates: Torre Vecchia, Torre del Castello di Terra, Torre Pali, Torre di Porta Oscura or of the clock. During the Punic Wars, the Carthaginian general Amilcare Barca built the fifth tower, the Castello della Colombaia, today called Castello di Mare. The four towers enclosed the city in a quadrilateral defended by walls. The Dark Tower has undergone several changes over the centuries. The tower, which supports the clock, was presumably built at the time of Giacomo d'Aragona (1596th century). The astronomical clock made in XNUMX by Giacomo Mennella includes the “Sun” dial and the Lunario which has a central hole representing the earth. The two dials are circular, in that of the sun a hand with a lily tip indicates the hours. The hand of the sun indicates the signs of the zodiac, equinoxes, solstices, seasons and cardinal points. The dial of the Moon indicates, counterclockwise, all the phases of the moon.
Card insertion: Ignatius Caloggero
Photo: Ignazio Caloggero
Information contributions: Ignazio Caloggero, Web
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