Notre’ Dame Gate is one of seven gates built into the 9km-long Cottonera Lines. This moon-shaped fortified line was initiated by Grand Master Fra Nicola Cotoner in 1670 following the Ottoman capture of Candia (Crete). It was meant to protect at distance the historic Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua; a populous and industrious conurbation against a renewed Ottoman attack. Notre’ Dame Gate also known as Porta della Maria Vergine delle Grazie; Zabbar Gate and Bieb is–Sultan was planned from the start to serve as the main entrance into the fortified conglomeration when approached from the east. It stands in the middle of Notre’ Dame Curtain from which it takes its name and is flanked by Notre’ Dame Bastion on its right and St. James Bastion on the left facing the ancient town of Zabbar.
This grand gate remains to this day as the highest point in Cottonera. From its towering roof one can enjoy breath taking vistas of most of the island making the relay of military signals between the eastern coastal defences and Valletta proper ideal.
The gate itself stands on five levels consisting of two lateral underground chambers, two ground level barrack blocks overlying the former, a grand gate house built on two levels and a spacious open veranda and signalling top.
Its architectural design follows that of the high-baroque period at which time it was built. It is lavishly decorated with Corinthian pilasters, heavy mouldings and fascias, symmetrical niches and apertures, a prominent balustrade, trophies and finials. This impressive assemblage is then surmounted by an enormous inscription in marble which denotes the foundation of the fortified lines. The plaque itself is crowned by a heavy bass-relief depicting a trophy of arms and two putti surrounding an alcove which shelters a heavy bronze effigy of Grand Master Cotoner, founder of the Cottonera Lines.
This gate remained in constant military use for almost 300 years. It was garrisoned by Hospitaller, French Republican and British troops many of whom have left their indelible marks of their presence in the shape of numerous graffiti carved into the gate’s stone. Perhaps the most notorious of these troops were the British 24th Regiment of Foot (South Wales Borders) of the Zulu wars’ fame who had stayed in the gate’s barracks on their way to South Africa in 1874.
Following the nearby building of the Cottonera Military Hospital in 1870, the gate gradually started serving as an adjunct to the new military medical establishment. Following the debacle at Gallipoli in 1915, thousands of badly wounded troops were brought to Malta for treatment and convalescence and some of these were accommodated at Notre’ Dame Gate for the duration of the Great War.
In the ensuing war, although receiving a direct hit, the gate suffered little damage as opposed to the extensive loss suffered in all of the Three Cities.
Today Notre’ Dame Gate serves as the headquarters of the Malta Heritage Trust – Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna and is available for visiting on an exclusive basis every Wednesday as part of a guided tour of the gate and the nearby former Cottonera Military Hospital. This tour also gives access to parts of the Cottonera Lines, the early 18th century gun powder magazine and WW2 defences. This property is available for visiting by prior booking only by telephone 21800992 during office hours or by email [email protected].
This grand gate remains to this day as the highest point in Cottonera. From its towering roof one can enjoy breath taking vistas of most of the island making the relay of military signals between the eastern coastal defences and Valletta proper ideal.
The gate itself stands on five levels consisting of two lateral underground chambers, two ground level barrack blocks overlying the former, a grand gate house built on two levels and a spacious open veranda and signalling top.
Its architectural design follows that of the high-baroque period at which time it was built. It is lavishly decorated with Corinthian pilasters, heavy mouldings and fascias, symmetrical niches and apertures, a prominent balustrade, trophies and finials. This impressive assemblage is then surmounted by an enormous inscription in marble which denotes the foundation of the fortified lines. The plaque itself is crowned by a heavy bass-relief depicting a trophy of arms and two putti surrounding an alcove which shelters a heavy bronze effigy of Grand Master Cotoner, founder of the Cottonera Lines.
This gate remained in constant military use for almost 300 years. It was garrisoned by Hospitaller, French Republican and British troops many of whom have left their indelible marks of their presence in the shape of numerous graffiti carved into the gate’s stone. Perhaps the most notorious of these troops were the British 24th Regiment of Foot (South Wales Borders) of the Zulu wars’ fame who had stayed in the gate’s barracks on their way to South Africa in 1874.
Following the nearby building of the Cottonera Military Hospital in 1870, the gate gradually started serving as an adjunct to the new military medical establishment. Following the debacle at Gallipoli in 1915, thousands of badly wounded troops were brought to Malta for treatment and convalescence and some of these were accommodated at Notre’ Dame Gate for the duration of the Great War.
In the ensuing war, although receiving a direct hit, the gate suffered little damage as opposed to the extensive loss suffered in all of the Three Cities.
Today Notre’ Dame Gate serves as the headquarters of the Malta Heritage Trust – Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna and is available for visiting on an exclusive basis every Wednesday as part of a guided tour of the gate and the nearby former Cottonera Military Hospital. This tour also gives access to parts of the Cottonera Lines, the early 18th century gun powder magazine and WW2 defences. This property is available for visiting by prior booking only by telephone 21800992 during office hours or by email [email protected].