Standing tall over Malta’s historic Three Cities, the Cottonera and Santa Margherita (or Firenzuola) Lines were built between the 17th and 18th centuries to defend Birgu (Vittoriosa), Isla (Senglea), and Bormla (Cospicua) as well as the Grand Harbour. Beyond their imposing appearance those who look will find a history filled with quirky surprises. From unfinished works, to interesting people and several stumbling blocks that had to be faced along the way.
Read more and uncover some fascinating facts and tales around the bastions and the people behind the fortifications that are centuries-old!
1. The Grandmaster who set the first stone of the Santa Margherita Lines was not into seeing people having fun…
The first stone of the Santa Margherita Lines was laid on the 30th December 1638 by Grand Master Giovanni Paolo Lascaris. This was only a year before the same Grandmaster imposed a ban on women being able to wear masks or attending masked balls during Carnival. This ban didn’t really go down well with the Maltese. In fact, everything took a turn to the worse when locals started blaming the Jesuits for having influenced Lascaris to take this decision. Eventually, Lascaris had to banish the Jesuit Order from Malta for a short while until calm was restored.
This incident also led to the creation of the Maltese idiom “wiċċ Laskri” which literally translates to “the face of Lascaris”. It is used to describe someone who is constantly annoyed, sad or frustrated.
2. The Santa Margherita Lines were designed by the same military architect in charge of fortifying monumental locations in Rome
The Santa Margherita Lines were indeed designed by Vincenzo Maculano da Firenzuola, a military architect, inquisitor and Catholic cardinal. He is very well known for his contribution in fortifying the famous Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome. He was also involved in the defences constructed all around the gardens of the Cortile del Belvedere and Porta Cavalleggeri in Rome, as well as another monument which many are familiar with, Porta Portese.
3. The Santa Margherita Lines were fully completed 123 years after the work started
While the work on the Santa Margherita lines actually started in 1638, it took a total of 123 years for the project to be completed! The work on the fortifications was paused in 1645, by which only the three central fortifications were completed. This was due to lack of funds. Eventually, in 1670, when the construction of the Cottonera Lines were started, those of Santa Margherita were left abandoned. In 1715, following the insistence of the Engineer of the Order of St John René Jacob de Tigné, the works on the Santa Margherita Lines resumed. By 1761, a total of six bastions were built. These were: Firenzuola, Santa Margherita, Santa Liena, San Ġwann t’Għuxa, San Franġisk u San Raffael.
4. Fears of the Ottomans attacking Malta led to the building of the Cottonera Lines
The Cottonera Lines were considered to be a necessity at the time. Especially after the Ottomans had managed to get their hands on Candia following a 21 year-long siege. The fortifications were designed by architect and military engineer Antonio Maurizio Valperga. The scope was of protecting the southern side of the Grand Harbour and the three cities.
5. The same Grandmaster who initiated the Cottonera Lines project also funded a school of Anatomy and Medicine…
Indeed, Grandmaster Nicolo Cotoner did not only kickstart and greatly contribute to the Cottonera Lines project, he also funded the school of Anatomy and Medicine in Malta in 1674, part of the Sacra Infermeria. Between 1670 and 1680 a total of 10 bastions were built. However, the works came to a halt in 1680 following the death of the Grandmaster.
6. Even though it’s an extensive project as is, the Cottonera Lines were never actually completed
During the 18th century a number of monumental gates designed by architect Romano Carapecchia were built. Some of the gates were never finished. Most ended up being blocked up with masonry blocks during the French blockade. In fact, these fortifications remained unfinished and work on them came to a halt in the late 18th century.
7. The British eventually connected the Cottonera Lines with the Santa Margherita Lines
During British rule, several modifications were made to these lines of fortifications. In the 1850s, the British built Fort Verdala and the Saint Clement Retrenchment. These connected the Santa Margherita Lines with those of Cottonera. In the 19th century the San Ġakbu Bastion was built. Nowadays, it is being used as a school after previously having served as a hospital for several years. Parts of the Cottonera Lines were unfortunately demolished to make way for the extension of the shipyard between 1899 and 1907.
Both fortification lines are scheduled as Grade 1 by the Planning Authority. They form part of the Grand Harbour Area of High Landscape Value.
8. The Restoration and Preservation Department has been working hard to keep these fortifications in a good state of repair
The Restoration and Preservation Department is the entity behind several years of restoration works on these fortifications. Due to them being exposed to salt contamination, the growth of vegetation and to water infiltration, as well as several other factors including graffiti and acts of vandalism, these fortifications deteriorated badly over time. This gave rise to the need for several restoration interventions, the earliest of which dates to 2020, with the preparatory documentation preceding that by several years. In fact, the Department continues to work on the documentation of other stretches of these fortification lines in preparation for more interventions in the coming years, interventions which amount to hundreds of thousands, and in some cases even millions, of Euros per project.
Step into the magic of Malta’s rich history
The Cottonera and Santa Margherita Lines stand as timeless witnesses of Malta’s past, with a history that is far from ordinary. From historic challenges to hidden stories, these fortifications which together spread over 6 kilometers, hold secrets waiting to be discovered.
