Palermo - Quattro Canti

This open space, circular in form and the setting-out point for our suggested walks through Palermo, was laid out between 1608 and 1620 by the Roman architect Giulio Lasso at the junction of the two major streets in Palermo at that time, Cassarò (now known as Vittorio Emanuele), which leads from the Norman Palace to the harbor, and Via Nuova; the building of the latter was begun with much ceremony in 1608, and it was later re-named Maqueda after the Spanish viceroy. Lasso designed this junction so that there would be a concave frontage on each of the four corners; behind one is hidden the church of San Giuseppe dei Teatini. At ground level on each corner he built a fountain, with sculptured figures on the three upper floors, accompanied by Classical Greek columns, Doric at the bottom, then Ionic and finally Corinthian. It was long after 1620 before they were finished; consequently, above sculptures symbolizing the Four Seasons at the bottom, it was possible to insert statues of the four Spanish kings since 1516, namely Charles V, Philip II, III and IV, the latter having ascended to the throne in 1621. On the uppermost floor are the female patron saints Cristina, Ninfa, Oliva and Agata.

Although originally named Piazza Vigliena, after a Spanish viceroy, the unique design of the "square" has resulted in that name being almost forgotten and in its generally being known simply as the Quattro Canti.