In the 18th century, the residence of the Penitentiary Fathers, a minor Franciscan order established by Pius V (1566-72) and in charge of confessing prelates, was moved from the Old Lateran Palace to the area adjacent to S. Giovanni in Laterano. Architect Alessandro Galilei designed and built, between 1734-36, a large dormitory, refectory, and service rooms; he also added a green area extending to the urban Walls. Due to the rise of the garden level and the obliteration of water drainage openings in the Walls, in 1741 the section corresponding to the garden collapsed. The walls were restored between 1744-45 under Marquis Girolamo Theodoli. Today, the surviving section forms the backdrop of the Romulea sports fields and marks the boundary between the Pontifical Roman Seminary garden (Vatican property) and the Italian State.
The next stretch is partially covered by a bocce court. The quadrangular tower layout and a portion of the walkway remain visible, with small rifle openings similar to those used during Pius IX’s era to position soldiers for city defense.
