The Portal cracked after arriving in Philadelphia, but not for the reason you might think
The viral "Portal" art installation was just installed in Philadelphia over the weekend but already has the city talking.
Not because of the video communication happening across continents and countries but because it only took a few days for the screen on the front of the eye-shaped sculpture to break.
And while Philadelphians can be known for getting a bit rough and rowdy, apparently there's a perfectly logical explanation for how the screen ended up cracked.
Photos of the damaged portal went viral on social media over the weekend, prompting plenty of comments lamenting Philadelphia's inability to have nice things.
However, a city official said the portal was damaged as it was installed in LOVE Park over the weekend. Officials said some screws on the structure were too tight and put extra pressure on the screen, causing it to crack. Officials reiterated that the portal was not vandalized.
Crews are assessing the damage Monday to determine if the current screen can be fixed or if a new one needs to be installed. More information on when the Portal will officially operate can be expected later this week.
"This portal does have a crack. I can say confidently that crack is not the result of vandalism and it'll be fixed in a few days," said Michael Newmuis, the city's 2026 Director coordinating plans for Philadelphia's active role in celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States. "But we're not going to let that give us a reason to not move forward in offering this unparalleled opportunity for people to engage."
The portal in Philadelphia is the same structure that first opened up in New York City back in May and connected to Dublin, Ireland. Portals.org says once it turns on, Philadelphia will be connected with cities around the world via a 24/7 livestream. According to their website, there are portals in Vilnius, Lithuania; Lublin, Poland; Dublin, and one coming soon to Piaui, Brazil.
Newmuis said the 2026 events – like multiple World Cup games and birthday celebrations for the Navy and Marines – are all putting Philly on the map. So does the portal.
"This will just be the beginning of opening up that window at that personal invitation to the world to say, 'Come to Philadelphia.'"
