FORT ST ELMO -  TWO GATES by sangwann

FORT ST ELMO - TWO GATES

Last Sunday all museums and heritage sites were free and so my brother and I took the occasion to go visit the recently restored Fort St Elmo. St Elmo at the tip of Valletta guards the entrance of Malta’s historic harbour.

We entered through the gate at left. As you can see, it was constructed in 1880 during British enlargement of the fort. Note the bareness of the gate built for functional needs Beyond you can see yachts sailing outside Grand Harbour .

Further inside the fort was this second gate (on the right) dating from 1552 (and restored in 1943). This was probably the entrance gate of the fort during the Knights of St John’s stay in Malta. You will note the three emblems of the Order which are not distinguishable and the eye sculpture which is very clear. The gate is also very small to allow only marching troops or perhaps horsemen.

The two gates, which aren’t the only ones to give excess to the fort, show the difference in architecture between the chivalrous late middle ages and the functional modern designs.
Thank you so much for looking and for the lovely comments and the fav's on yesterday's picture.
Amazing difference in size and grandeur the left as you say is just functional -- a hole in the wall with an arch top !! while the other smaller archway although simple in design has the added décor of the crown and shields but also that intriguing eye !! I wonder if the eye symbolises the fact whoever goes through the archway are seen or watched !! I love the mellow stone of the earlier archway -- a great comparison diptych Dione !
February 5th, 2016  
Interesting comparison. I like the view of boats through the first gate :)
February 5th, 2016  
Very interesting architecture
February 5th, 2016  
love the views through the gates.
February 5th, 2016  
Nice captures, love the view through the left image :)
February 5th, 2016  

Interesting history make for a great day out. Love the arch with the sea view.
February 5th, 2016  
Looks great and it's always nice to see places of history restored
February 5th, 2016  
Such a noticeable difference. Great shots and interesting history Dione
February 5th, 2016  
big difference except no one has improved on the roman arch.
February 5th, 2016  
Tom
Wonderful gates, each one so different.
February 5th, 2016  
Wonderful history and photos--they truly capture my imagination of all the stories they have witnessed through the years!
February 5th, 2016  
Great collage of a beautiful looking place. Interesting information, too, Dione.
February 5th, 2016  
Great shots, textures, framing
February 5th, 2016  
I like how you got the three sailboats within the arch. Nice shots.
February 5th, 2016  
Love the view through the left gate. Sounds like a fun day!
February 5th, 2016  
Nice view and narrative about these two gates
February 5th, 2016  
Interesting comparison and history.
February 5th, 2016  
Wonderful pairing as well as information on these passageways.
February 5th, 2016  
Great view on, and great captures of, those beautiful gates.
The farmers won`t if they know the damage on the soil by the rain. To difficult for me to explain it in English why, but the result is a less and very bad grow next season. And a lot of new work to make it something.
February 5th, 2016  
Lovely framing of the sail boats through the arch. How great that they are restoring old buildings like this.
February 5th, 2016  
i like the left hand gate as it offers a glimpse of the sea dione :)
February 5th, 2016  
How interesting both these gates are - nice way to present the differences.
February 6th, 2016  
Great framing....love those sail boats! Lovely shot.
February 6th, 2016  
Cool collage.
February 6th, 2016  
love the 3 yachts floating in the peaceful blue sea
Thanks for sharing your history.
fav
February 6th, 2016  
Interesting images, POV.
February 7th, 2016  
Love the way you can see the sea at the back.
February 8th, 2016  
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