ST. MAURICE "TERZIERE"

S. Maurice District (Terziere) included the north-west area of the city, from the Fontana gate (nowadays Aosta gate) as far as the "Ponte Vecchio". The north, south and west area were bounded by the external walls.

 An internal boundary wall probably delimited the eastern area. In the northern part of Saint Maurice, at the top of a rise, there was a square called "The Market" (now Marsala square), which was created in 1313 to hold the city market. On its southern side, stands the Credenza palace, the seat where the "Credendari" or Town Concillors that formed the parliament of Ivrea assembled. The "Rua delle Ova", today "Via Marsala started from the square and led, downwards, to St. Maurice Church.

  Beyond "Via Magna Brugi", on a rise, the southern side of which was directly in front of the Dora river, stood the "Castellacccio" or "Castellazzo" that during feudalism was the residence of the prince of Ivrea. According to the statues of 1313, St. Maurizio district had to guard the Posteria, the "Calderaia gate" and the "Ponte gate".

1 Posteria del mercato - This was the name given to the opening set in a hidden place of the fortfication, built in order to ensure an emergency passage.The posteria del Mercato was set at the extreme western point of the homonymous square and it opened onto a stair formed by low steps still used nowadays to get to the hospital square.

2-Porta Calderaia - This was also called Caldera or Caldara. It opened in the North West Corner of the present Piazza Maretta. In 1789 a guard was definitely watching on the gate as it results from a map from the Council office of Arts. The Porta Caldara must have been demolished after 1847 since it still appears on a drawing of that time.

3-Porta di Ponte - The present Old Bridge, also called Canavese Bridge, in medieval times was made of wood and was covered. On the side near the Borghetto, on the right bank of the river, it was defended by a girdled tower , accessible through a drawbridge. The Bridge Gate was very important since it was the only one which allowed the comunications with the South-Western area of the Canavese.The entrance to this door as well as to the other city gates was permitted only after paying special tolls.