After the construction of the walls, the gate of Mezz'Omo was located inside the city and lost importance. The defensive moat in front of the gate (till then named "Largo dei Fossi", at the Ditches') was transformed into the Piazza d'Armi (Army Square), which led to the Palace. The new gate, opened in the middle of an imposing bastion, was called "Porta di Ferro" (Iron Gate) referring to its impressiveness and inviolability. It was at the end of Via Nuova (New Road) which joined the town to the harbour of Sancio Cattolico, following a new route. The old way, which climbed tortuously from the old landing point of Spiaggia della Lingua (Tongue's Shore), fell completely out of use, up to the final removal of the old gate on the north edge of Terra Murata.

Besides the Avalos Palace, other building works were done inside city walls. It was renovated the palace of the preceding Lords of Procida (the Da Procida and after the Cossa). In front of the palace it was opened a new square, in order to connect it directly with the Abbey. In the 19th century it was used as women orphanage with the name of "Conservatorio delle orfane" (Orphans' Conservatory). Nowadays it is known as De Iorio Palace, from the name of the owners during the 17th century. Outside the city walls there is the building of the penal colony, no more active today but it has been for a long time a national prison.  [ More...]