Terra murata and Avalos Palace in Procida

The upper part of Procida is called Terra Murata.

It is the oldest village on the island, so called because of its medieval fortifications, at the top of which are the Palazzo d’Avalos and the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo.

The C2 bus leaves from Marina Grande every 40 minutes and arrives at Terra Murata.

However, we recommend getting there on foot via Via Roma towards Piazza dei Martiri, then continuing along Via Salita Castello.

The climb is steep and quite tiring, but it is part of the Procida experience, and what you will find at the top will repay you for the effort!

Through the Iron Gate and the Mezz’omo Gate you can access the ancient walled citadel, Terra Murata, perched on a tuff ridge and overlooking the sea.

In front of the historic center of Terra Murata, clinging to the tuff wall, there is the Avalos Palace, also called “castle” by the islanders, from which you can enjoy the view of the Corricella.

It was built at the behest of the Avalos (together with the walls), a noble Spanish family who ruled the island until the 18th century. In the 19th century it then became a Bourbon prison, and was closed in 1988.
To date, it is possible to visit the Avalos Palace by making a reservation on the website of the Municipality of Procida.

In front of the Palazzo d’Avalos, stands the Abbey of Saint Michael the Arcangel, which can be visited for free, but if you want a guide you can have it for just 3 euros which will go towards the maintenance of the church.

The Abbey dates back to the 11th century and is in the shape of a Latin cross, characterized by a coffered ceiling edged with gold, a terracotta and majolica floor and paintings of the Neapolitan school.

The entire museum complex of the Abbey extends to the basement where the library, the chapels and the burial and mummification room are located.

Inside Terra Murata you will also find the Graziella’S House, a small museum linked to the love story that Lamartine tells in his book “Graziella”, guardian of the Procida customs of the last centuries.