Couvre porte : a study of a baroque entrance way into a fortified city

Abstract

The City of Birgu or, as later renamed after the Great Siege of 1565, 'Citta Vittoriosa', lies on the south coast of Malta, dominating a strategic promontory within the Grand Harbour facing the Capital City Valletta to its north. Together with its neighbouring cities of Senglea and Cospicua, Birgu is enclosed by several lines of fortification, lines with a unique three entrance gate system into the city. These strongholds are collectively referred as the 'Three Cities'. The origins of Birgu date back to over 3,500 years ago, but it only reached its peak and prosperity during the time of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. Birgu was the first fortified city built by the Knights, endower of an early medieval layout village. It was established as the first maritime city of Malta and prospered in its early stages. During the Great Siege of 1565, Birgu contributed to the final victory against the Ottoman Turks, and hence earned its title as 'Citta Vittoriosa '. After the construction of the new capital city Valletta on the strategic peninsula of Mount Xiberras, although it lost the governing establishments inside its fortified walls, Birgu, still prospered as an important maritime city and continued exercising this role for many years to follow. The subject is vast and it was considered best not to tackle all the fortifications of Birgu. Within the limited time and resources available, I have therefore limited myself and directed my efforts primary to view the historical preservation issues and the physical aspects of the Couvre Porte Gates and their surrounding land ward fortification area.