National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands

National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands
NICPMI Inv. No.
Date of Publication
Property Name
Address
Town Name
Period
Phase
Cultural Heritage
Type & Value
Property Function
30 March 2012
Couvre Porte Barracks
Triq it-8 ta' Dicembru
Vittoriosa
Toponym N/A
Property Owner Government
Guardianship Deed
00049
Managing Body
Local Council Birgu
Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna
Yes
Modern (16th to 20th Century AD)
Early Modern: Knights of St John (1530-1798)
Architectural
Historical
Cultural Heritage
Property Value
Assessment
Fortification
Conservation Area
Very High
Not Available
Outline Description
The Couvre Porte was a complex system of gateways through which one could gain
access into Vittoriosa.
Property Description
Following the great siege of 1565, the Knights began a massive fortification program to reinforce
Malta and major approaches to the Grand Harbour. However it wasn't until the early 18th century
that works took place on the Birgu’s fortification system. It was under French Military Engineer
Charles Francois de Mondion that Birgu was given a bent entrance configuration which gave a non
linear approach through St. John bastion and two other gates. The site consists of three gates,
Advanced Gate or Gate of Aragon built in 1722, Couvre Porte built in 1723 and Porta Superiore
rebuilt by 1727. These gates clearly show Mondion’s signature over the project giving Birgu a secure
and a more noble entrance. Couvre Porte also houses World War II air raid shelters. A lot of these
started being excavated in 1940 with the involvement of Italy in the war. Located beneath and into
the Knights fortifications system, the initial purpose of the shelters was to serve as civil defense
shelter for the use of the police and rescue services housed on the Advanced Gate. However as war
escalated the authorities felt that the shelters were inadequate for the ever increasing number of
civilians. The site consists of two long aisles excavated parallel to each other with standard rock
hewn cubicles linked to them and with various rock-cut lighting windows. This air raid shelter is
one of the largest in the country, and is reputed to have offered refuge to some 400 individuals
during the height of the siege.
Scheduled by MEPA
Yes
Degree of Protection
Grade 1
G.N. No.
De Lucca, D. (2003) Mondion, Malta: Midsea Publications
Recommended
Bibliography
133
G.N. Date
2001
Coordinates : Easting
56961
71542
Property Plan
Property Images
Northing : Coordinates