Porta Montalto was an ancient gateway to the city. It was built in 1637 next to Porta Mazzara at the behest of Viceroy Don Luigi Guglielmo Moncada, Duke of Montalto (from whom it took its new name), as an alternative to this gate, which was incorporated into the bastion of Pescara, and with the aim of allowing passage from the Albergheria to the Corso Tuckory. The fortification of Porta Felice and Porta Carini were part of the same project.

In 1885 the bastion was demolished and as a consequence Porta Montalto was destroyed. Since then, the older Porta di Mazzara has been visible, near the present-day Children's Hospital.