Valletta Porta Reale and Environs

The purpose of this work is to call attention to the historical and contextual importance of Porta Reale within the urban architecture of Valletta. Biblical, Egyptian, Babylonian, Greek, Roman, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Neo-Classic architectures are replete with instances where Gates were constructed either to commemorate a special event or; as Porta Reale, to mark the entrance to fortified cities. Other examples in Malta are the Żabbar Gate, the Żebbuġ Gate, the Bormla, Birgu and L-Isla Gates, St. Angelo, St. Elmo and Ricasoli, and a number of others in the Cottonera fortifications most of which have been walled-up for a number of years.