Quattro Canti, Baroque square at Via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emanuele intersection, Palermo, Italy.
Quattro Canti is a square where two main streets cross, formed by four identical palace buildings at each corner. Each palace features a curved facade with multiple levels of statues, fountains, and carved ornaments arranged in a symmetric pattern.
The square was created between 1608 and 1620 during Spanish rule, when viceroys decided to cross two major streets and build four palace buildings to frame them. This plan marked a new approach to reshaping the city's layout and structure.
The four buildings create a gathering place where locals and travelers meet at the heart of the old town. What you see at each corner—fountains, statues, and carved details—reflects how the city wanted to present itself during the Spanish period.
This intersection serves as a reference point for navigating the old town, as it clearly divides four historic neighborhoods. The open center and surrounding narrow streets make it easy to orient yourself and explore the different quarters on foot.
The name Teatro del Sole comes from the fact that at least one of the four facades receives sunlight throughout the day. The architects planned the buildings with this natural lighting effect in mind, making the facades constantly visible and dramatic.
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