Notre Dame Gate — Attraction in Birgu

Notre Dame Gate is one of seven gates built into the fortified Cottonera Lines. Initiated by Grand Master Cotoner in 1670 following the Ottoman capture of Candia (Crete) it was meant to protect in-depth the Three Cities of Vittoriosa. Senglea and Cospicua against a renewed Ottoman attack. Notre Dame Gate also known as Porta della Maria Vergine delle Grazie; Zabbar Gate and Bieb is-Sultan was to serve as the main entrance into the fortified conglomeration from the east. It stands in the middle of Notre Dame Curtain from which it takes its name and is flanked by Notre Dame and St. James Bastions facing the ancient town of Zabbar.

This grand gate remains to this day as the highest point in Cottonera from the roof of which one can enjoy breath taking vistas of most of the island and from where in the past military signals were relayed between the eastern coastal defences and Valletta proper.

It stands on five levels consisting of two lateral underground chambers, two ground level barrack blocks, a grand gate house built on two levels and a spacious open veranda and a signalling top.

Its architectural style 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

Notre Dame 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 in stone. Perhaps the most notorious amongst these 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 world war, although receiving a direct hit which perforated one of the barracks roofs, the gate suffered little damage as opposed to the extensive material loss suffered at 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...

It was one of the first landmarks we saw after landing in Malta. We started our first day trip close-by, and the gate was the first of many fantastic building in Malta.

The whole country is full of amazing architecture, and it is quite poetic that this was our 'gate' to all those amazing spots.

One thing to remember is that Malta is not a country for bicycle, and even walking is often difficult. Most people drive cars or scooters, so it is important to remember that not every road on the map is suited for pedestrians. It was here that we learned that cars rule...

The one and only gate remaining in its original state - part of the Cottonera defensive bastions, built by two brothers, of Portuguese origin, who succeeded each other as Grandmasters of the Order of St. John - Raphael and Nicholas Cottoner. During British colonial rule, British regiments en-route to South Africa and India, British were billeted inside the enormous, spacious gate. Notoriously, the British troops massacred by the Zulu in Induala were...