After the Turkish siege of 1571, the Venetians set about implementing a fresh program of fortificatory works, under the supervision of the engineer F.Vitelli.

The basic aim was to provide protection for Xopoli, where many of the private dwellings of Venetians and Corfiots had moved.

A new wall was built, sealing off the north-west side of the city, and many older structures had to be demolished to make way for it.

The New Fortress communicated with the sea and the town through four gates.

Leading south, towards the hinterland of the island, were the Porta Reymondo, and the superb Porta Reale.

These were demolished in the nineteenth century. The two gates on the sea side  have survived, however, and can still be seen, ornamented with the Lion of St Mark, emblem of Venice:

These four gates communicated with the Spianada, and thus with the Old Fortress, along four roads.

The Venetians fortifications, seen in their days as a masterpiece of military architecture, were further supplemented in the seventeenth century by a wall to the west of the city.

After the Turkish siege of 1716, the hill of Sotiros and Avrami were walled, too.