An ancient place of peace and tranquillity
The historic fortified village of Terra Murata, perched on the highest point of the island, overlooking the sea, offers a unique and breathtaking view of the entire Gulf of Naples, as a cultural centre of the highest historical value.
History
During the Middle Ages, the "scattered" settlement of Roman times was replaced by the settlement of a walled village on the headland of the "Terra" (Land), later called Terra Casata and finally Terra Murata.
Having become a stronghold of the d'Avalos family in 1529, loyal to Emperor Carlo V, Procida was subjected, as in previous centuries, to the Saracen pirates' raids, which were further aggravated by the struggle between the Ottomans and the Spanish. The watch towers, a second set of walls around Terra Murata, the beginning of the construction of the D'Avalos Castle, which later became the Royal Palace and then a prison citadel from 1830 to 1988, bear witness to this period.
The Benedictine Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo was founded in the 11th century. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries and its existing structure dates back to the 16th century.
Heritage
The village of Terra Murata features several points of interest, such as the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, the Palazzo d'Avalos, the Chiesa sconsacrata Santa Margherita Nuova (deconsecrated Church of Santa Margherita Nuova) and the Museo Casa di Graziella (Graziella House Museum).
One of the most prestigious and richest places of worship in southern Italy, the Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo offers a museum itinerary with a library of texts dating back to the 16th century and several noteworthy works, such as a painting depicting San Michele defeating Satan and a permanent nativity scene made up of ancient shepherds in wood and terracotta, dating from the 18th-century Neapolitan school. In the abbey's basement, which can also be visited, there is a fascinating ossuary-necropolis featuring an interment and mummification chamber.
The monumental complex of the Palazzo consists of the Palazzo d'Avalos, the Courtyard, the Guardhouse, the Single Cell Building, the Veterans' Building, the Medical Station, the Director's House and the Spianata farm estate.
Besides its intrinsic historical and architectural value, the complex also offers, given its centuries-old use as a prison colony, an important testimony to the political, military and urban history of the island of Procida.
Another very interesting stop in the Terra Murata village is the church, now deconsecrated, known as Santa Margherita Nuova, built on the remains of the ancient Cenobio di S. Margherita Vecchia alla Chiaolella. A place of extraordinary beauty, currently hosting exhibitions and cultural events.
Located on the second floor of the Palace of Culture (Ex conservatory of orphans), there is also a museum dedicated to and inspired by the novel "Graziella", set in Procida and written by Alphonse De Lamartine, a French author who stayed on the island from 1811.
