Porte des Bombes
Encyclopedia
The Porte des Bombes is an ornamental gate in the Floriana Lines
, which formed the outer defensive walls of Valletta
, Malta
. It is situated between Pietà Creek and Marsa to the west and southeast, and the suburb of Floriana
to the east. It was constructed in Baroque
style between 1697 and 1720, during the reign of Fra Ramon Perellos y Roccaful
, 64th Grandmaster of the Knights of Malta
. Perellos' coat of arms appears above the gate.
During the 19th century, the British government dramatically altered the original design of the gate by adding a second archway to accommodate increasingly heavy traffic in the Grand Harbour
area. A marble plaque was affixed to the newer arch, with the following inscription: "Ad majorem popoli accomodatum".
The short-lived Malta Railway once ran through a tunnel located near Porte des Bombes.
Floriana Lines
The Floriana Lines are a line of fortification outside the capital city of Malta, Valletta. They were built in the 17th Century during the reign of Grand Master Antoine de Paule, who asked to bring over Italian military engineer Pietro Paolo Floriani for advice on the improvement of the defences of...
, which formed the outer defensive walls of Valletta
Valletta
Valletta is the capital of Malta, colloquially known as Il-Belt in Maltese. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta, and the historical city has a population of 6,098. The name "Valletta" is traditionally reserved for the historic walled citadel that serves as Malta's...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
. It is situated between Pietà Creek and Marsa to the west and southeast, and the suburb of Floriana
Floriana
Floriana is a town in Malta, just outside the capital city Valletta. Floriana is the birthplace of many famous Maltese, amongst which the composer of the national anthem, 'L-Innu Malti', Robert Samut; former Bishop of Malta Dom Mauro Caruana, the poet Oliver Friggieri, and Swedish Idol winner...
to the east. It was constructed in Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
style between 1697 and 1720, during the reign of Fra Ramon Perellos y Roccaful
Ramon Perellos y Roccaful
Fra' Ramon Perellos de Rocaful was the 64th Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta between 1697 and 1720. He lived in Malta in 1653, as soon as he entered the order. In 1658 he joined the board of the Master and in 1697 was elected Grand Master...
, 64th Grandmaster of the Knights of Malta
Knights Hospitaller
The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta , also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta , Order of Malta or Knights of Malta, is a Roman Catholic lay religious order, traditionally of military, chivalrous, noble nature. It is the world's...
. Perellos' coat of arms appears above the gate.
During the 19th century, the British government dramatically altered the original design of the gate by adding a second archway to accommodate increasingly heavy traffic in the Grand Harbour
Grand Harbour
Grand Harbour is a natural harbour on the island of Malta. It has been used as a harbour since at least Phoenician times...
area. A marble plaque was affixed to the newer arch, with the following inscription: "Ad majorem popoli accomodatum".
The short-lived Malta Railway once ran through a tunnel located near Porte des Bombes.