Urban growth reached the Plaça de Santa Anna where, in 1368, a new gate, the gate of Santa Maria, was built along with the Plaça de les Bèsties. The former north gate, now the Mitjà or 'middle gate', marked the boundary with the Capcorral district, associated traditionally with the raising of farm animals, and located outside the old enclosed precinct.
The city walls formed part of a larger plan by king Pere el Cerimoniós (Peter the Ceremonious) that began in the early years of the 14th century, the aim of which was to counter the threat of war with Castile by strengthening the defences of the towns. Of the ten original gates only one, much altered, survives on the southern side, Portal dels Pous.
The city walls formed part of a larger plan by king Pere el Cerimoniós (Peter the Ceremonious) that began in the early years of the 14th century, the aim of which was to counter the threat of war with Castile by strengthening the defences of the towns. Of the ten original gates only one, much altered, survives on the southern side, Portal dels Pous.