The historic centre of Procida,
Terra Murata is ancient medieval stronghold entrenched
on a steep, rock cliff around 90 metres above
sea level. Terra Murata is an island on an island.
Historically the historical and cultural centre
of the island, it is reached only by a sheer hill
from which one can admire the breathtaking panorama
over the Gulf of Naples and its islands.
Two long-range canons from the Neapolitan Republic
of 1799 welcome visitors to this magical place.
Small streets, paths and widening roads add character
and charm to the beauty of the location.
After the first Barbaric and Saracen invasions,
around the 9th century, the ancient village, for
its strategic position, became the residential
hub of the island. Two arched doors, named Ferro
and Mezz’Omo, and a moat called the Largo
dei Fossi, isolated and protected the zone, at
the time known as Terra Casata.
The history and destiny of Procida revolved for
centuries around Castello d’Avalos (D’Avalos
Castle), the first landmark one sees when approaching
the island by boat. The castle was the residence
of the d’Avalos family until the start of
the 18th century when, following some disagreements
between Charles III, the Bourbon king of Naples,
and Giovan Battista d’Avalos, the island
was confiscated by the latter to become a place
used as a hunting ground reserved to the Court
and King.
Around this period the first internal modifications
were made to transform the Castle into a Royal
Palace until 1815, when the building became first
a military college, then a penal colony. From
the19th century the castle was significantly enlarged
to become an actual prison which operated until
1988.
Apart from the Castle, the other principle attractiion
of Terra Murata is the beautiful Abbazia di San
Michele Arcangelo (Abbey of the archangel St Michael),
a religious and cultural centre of the island
for more than one thousand years, subject to multiple
stratifications and architectural transformations
over the centuries.
In this serene village, home to a quiet population,
the narrow streets are like a labyrinth, all forming
a maze of paths, corridors and covered paths,
opening at every turn to doors, steps, windows
and wells full of water. The charm of this extraordinary
place is probably elevated by the sense of abandon
and tranquillity that it exudes.
