Between 1562 and 1590, when the old fortifications weren’t useful anymore, the embanked sections between the traverse walls that connected the Byzantine enceinte and the 15^th c. inclined bulwark to the West of the southern gate (Voltone) were transformed into vaulted compartments incorporated in two new buildings. The fist, which consisted of three of four floors, including the 32 vaulted compartments of the ground floor, hosted the public warehouse for the storage of cereals (Fondaco), after which the square that was formed to the North was named (Piazza delle Biade). The second, which was separated from the former by an opening on the old enceinte, was used as a quarter for Italian mercenary soldiers (Quartieri Italiani). The western tower that protected the southern gate, along with the warehouse, were demolished in 1960, with the exception of a small part on the edge of the modern Chandakos str. Seven vaulted compartments are preserved on the northern facade of the two-storey building, hosting today commercial activities. On the southern facade, once overlooking the moat, the inclined bulwark is still preserved behind modern buildings.