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 square's official name, Piazza Villena, honours Juan Fernández Pacheco y Toledo, the fifth Marquis of Villena and viceroy from 1606 to 1610. An old saying, "feste e forche a Piazza Villena", recalls that public festivals and capital executions were held here. The lower basins of the four fountains date from the 19th century, added after the street level was lowered.

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 square's official name is Piazza Villena, after Juan Fernández Pacheco y Toledo, Marquis of Villena and viceroy from 1606 to 1610. An old saying, "feste e forche a Piazza Villena", recalled that the square hosted both public festivities and capital executions. The corner of Via Vittorio Emanuele beside the church of San Giuseppe dei Teatini carries a fifth decorated front, the "Quinto Canto", added in 1844.