Terra Murata

Terra Murata is Procida's historic fortified quarter, occupying the island's highest ridge above the sea. Its walls enclose religious buildings, former civic and penal sites, rock-cut dwellings and views across the Gulf of Naples.

Why it matters

The quarter is Procida's oldest settlement core and historic centre. Its defensive position, with steep sides on three sides and a single approach, made it a place of refuge during periods of invasion. It was once known as Terra Casata and entered through two gates. In 1563, Cardinal Innico d'Avalos d'Aragona fortified the settlement with walls and towers, after which it became known as Terra Murata.

What to notice

The remains of Porta di Mezz'Omo mark the older defensive entrance. Two cannons associated with the Neapolitan Republic of 1799 stand on the ramparts. A three-level dwelling carved into the tuff in Via del Borgo shows how residents adapted the rock to domestic use. From the walls, Marina della Corricella and the wider Gulf of Naples form a broad seaward view.

Context and history

The Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo has stood in the quarter since 1026. The d'Avalos fortifications reshaped the settlement in the sixteenth century. Their family palace later served as a royal residence and then as a Bourbon prison, which closed in 1988. The Dominicans founded the convent of Santa Margherita Nuova in 1586; it remained active until 1956. After the plague of 1656, a conservatory for orphaned girls was established. A mill built in 1764 during a famine also survives among the quarter's historic features.

Procida's Procession of the Mysteries, with scenes from scripture created by local young people, departs from Piazza d'Armi on Good Friday.