Floriana Heritage Trail

Borgo Vilhena as Floriana was originally known is many times considered a suburb of Valletta. Possibly owing to this it is significantly under appreciated and many times seen as little more than a thoroughfare through which one travels to get to one's ultimate destination. Nevertheless, Floriana is a gem in its own right as hopefully this trail will show. 

Floriana's name came from that of Pietro Paola Floriani, an Italian military engineer who was commissioned to design the Floriana Lines after in 1632, Grand Master Antoine de Paule received credible information that the Ottomans were preparing themselves for another attack on Malta. Floriani's design resulted in a massive system of multi tiered fortifications which are still largely visible, if not completely accessible. Although there were many objections to his project, mainly based on the expense and huge garrison required to defend it, Floriani defended the project by confirming that it could shelter the entire population of the island in case of a siege. 

One of the larger and more accessible complexes, the Crown Works - Horn Works, complex so called for their crown and horn shapes when seen from above, are the Floriana Park and Ride. While it is evident to all that travelling requires doubling back and sharp turns, unless seen in plan, one may not understand the need for all these twists and turns. 

Crown Works denoted in red and Horn works in blue

In addition to this complex, Floriana also designed the three point bastions composed of St. Philip, St. James and St. Anne bastions with the flanking protection of St. Francis Ravelin on the Grand Harbour side and Notre Dame Ravelin on the Marsamxett side. These landfront fortifications were supplanted by extensive sea facing fortifications consisting of the San Salvatore Bastion and counterguard on one side and the Sf. Francis and Capuchin bastion on the other, with the ancillary curtain walls and bastions joining the Valletta fortifications. A map of the entire complex can be seen below.

Map of the entire Floriana lines complex.

The only access through this complex system of fortifications was through the gates of Notre Dame on the northern side and the three gate system of Portes des Bombes, Porta dei Cannoni, and Porta St. Anna (or Porta dei Cani as it was colloquially known). None of these gates survive intact nowadays, since all were modified since their construction to improve the flow of traffic into Valletta. Porta dei Cannoni, which is nowadays known as Portes de Bombes is the one which survives in the best condition while part of Notre Dame gate still survives, after half of it collapsed in a storm in September 2009. 

Read on for the walk . . . 

Porte de Bombes (Porta dei Cannoni)

Although it may look like this gate has survived intact since it's construction, this elaborate and ornate gate which was constructed in 1720-21 according to the design of Charles Francois de Mondion was  originally a single arch through which all traffic was required to pass. The original single arch was replicated by the British in 1868 to double the possible passage of traffic, who also added an inscription stating:

Ad · Majorem · Popvli

Commoditatem

MDCCCLXVIII

whicc means "for the greater convenience of the public - 1868 , also replicating the design of the original inscription by the Knights which stated "While I fight the Turk everywhere, I am secure in my seat -1721":

DVM · THRCES · VBIQVE · PVCNO

IN SEDE SIC TUTA · CONSTO

MDCCXXI

In the early 20th century, the decorations of the top of the arches were removed in order to allow trams to pass through the gate. The flanking ramparts on either side were demolished in the 1930s to add further lanes into and out of Floriana in order for the area to cope with the increased traffic.

The gate was preceded by another gate which is where the Porte de Bombes name was derived from. This was the first gate leading to the lunette defending  the Porta dei Cannoni, which gate was dismantled when the lunette was  removed in order to improve access to traffic. The dismantled gate posts  and overlying mortar bomb finials were shifted laterally and backwards  to either side of their original positions and are nowadays visible in front of the curtain walls on either side of the surviving gate.

The original configuration of the gates. Source S. Spiteri

St. Anne's Gate

St Anne’s gate was located behind the Porta dei Cannoni and was located  in the proximity of the niche with the image of St. Anne, which is the  only thing that survives of this large gate. For some reason, the gate  was colloquially known as Porta dei Cani.  

St. Anne's gate / Porta dei Cani

Notre Dame Gate

One of the original pilasters of Notre Dame Gate survives although shifted to improve traffic flows while the other was  reconstructed following partial collapse in 2009. The reconstruction is faithful to the original, and known interventions as evidenced by the blocked doorway. The spanning arch in between was never reconstructed when the gate was widened in the 19th century.

Notre Dame gate as originally extant. 

Polverista Gate

The last gate in Floriana is Polverista gate leading from the lower parts of the fortifications near the public library towards the higher reaches of Floriana near the police headquarters and surroundings. The gate still survives mostly intact in view of the high bastions on either side requiring the shifting of large volumes of material in order to widen it, which is probably the main reason why it has survived.

Point of interest 

The main points of interest in Floriana can be seen in the map below. A trail/s will be added in the coming weeks which can be followed, together with pertinent information. Drop me a line if you found any of this useful or leave a comment below.