Porte des Bombes, or the Gate of Bomb, originally called the Cannon Gate, is a baroque style structure designed by the French architect Charles François de Mondion. Established in 1721 as one of the first buildings of Florian Lines - city fortifications erected over a period of about 100 years. The gate received its current shape after reconstruction in 1868, when a second arch was added to enable two-way traffic.
The original name of the Cannon Gate came from the surrounding cannon sculptures. It owes its current name to huge medieval stone balls, which were placed on columns on both sides of it. At the older, right arch (viewed from the front), there is the coat of arms of Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful - at the left, added in the 19th century, the coat of arms of Great Britain. The gate's cornice is decorated with a row of Maltese crosses.
Porte des Bombes originally served as the outer entrance gate to Floriana, from which one went to Porta Sant'Anna, the main gate of the city. The gate became a free-standing object after the demolition of the defensive wall of the 1930s.
Attractions inside
