I took this picture quite some time ago and it was not my intention to post it today but because this gate has a direct link with Grand Master Cotoner, whose Coat of Arms I posted yesterday, I thought it proper that it was either or never. Saint Elena Gate (or Vilhena Gate), Cospicua, forms part of the Cottonera Lines – a massive line of fortifications meant to surround the Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua. This line of fortifications, built on four of the Cospicua hills, was begun in 1670 under Grand Master Nicolas Cotoner who contributed generously out of his own pocket. The design of the project was of the Italian military engineer Antonio Maurizio Valperga Originally only the middle opening existed, but to assist in the flow of traffic in and out of Cospicua the two tunnels, one on each side were dug within the ramparts
@jpgiorgio Could be. I have recently come to know that the gate that has been knocked down is the 4th in line so during the time of the knights the gate was replaced once and then the British built their own before the recent garage door (as Ian says)
May 14th, 2011
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