Porte des Bombes
| Porte des Bombes | |
|---|---|
| Bieb il-Bombi | |
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|
| Former names | Porta dei Cannoni |
| General information | |
| Status | Intact |
| Type | Gate |
| Architectural style | Baroque |
| Location | Floriana, Malta |
| Coordinates | 35°53′25.6″N 14°30′7.5″E / 35.890444°N 14.502083°ECoordinates: 35°53′25.6″N 14°30′7.5″E / 35.890444°N 14.502083°E |
| Completed | 1721 |
| Renovated | 1868 |
| Cost | 6000 scudi |
| Renovation cost | £900 |
| Owner | Government of Malta |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Limestone |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Charles François de Mondion |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect | Col. E. W. Dunford |
Porte des Bombes (Maltese: Bieb il-Bombi, Italian: Porta delle Bombe, meaning "Bombs' Gate"), originally called Porta dei Cannoni (meaning "Cannons Gate"), is an ornamental arched gate in Floriana, Malta. It was originally built in 1721 as an advanced gate within the faussebraye of the Floriana Lines, and it was enlarged with the construction of a second archway in 1868. The ramparts on either side of the gate have since been demolished, leaving the gate looking like a triumphal arch.
Construction of the Floriana Lines began in 1636, but works proceeded slowly and the lines were only completed in the early 18th century. The lines had a large bastioned land front with outworks and a faussebraye. Porte des Bombes was built in 1720–21 within the faussebraye, being constructed to designs of the French architect Charles François de Mondion at a cost of 6000 scudi. The gate originally had a single arch, and it served as Floriana's outer entrance, leading to the town's main gate Porta Sant'Anna. It was originally protected by a lunette.
Porte des Bombes was captured by French soldiers during the French invasion of Malta in June 1798. At this point the Maltese insurgents opened fire in its direction, to challenge the occupants, which had left significant bullet marks on the front.
In the mid-19th century the British government enlarged the gate by adding a second archway to accommodate the increasingly heavy traffic in the Grand Harbour area. This enlargement was designed by the architect Col. E. W. Dunford of the Royal Engineers, and it cost a total of £900. The second gate was inaugurated on 17 August 1868, during the governorship of Sir Patrick Grant.
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