The central arch of the entrance to the portico, built in 1547, was decorated with the coat of arms of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, made by the artist Vincenzo Gagini. The new portico replaced a construction whose style and architectural features are unfortunately unknown. Vincenzo Gagini, born in Palermo in 1527, is the son of the famous Antonello Gagini. Like the other artists of the renowned family of architects and sculptors who came from Lugano and then settled in Sicily, he worked mainly on the island, demonstrating great artistic awareness. Vincenzo’s works are present in the provinces of Agrigento, Catania, Messina, Palermo and Trapani.
