This was the first church built in Valletta. It was built on the spot where a religious ceremony was held to inaugurate the laying of the foundation stone of the new city on 28th March 1566, and commemorates the victory over the Turks during the so-called ‘Great Siege’ of 1565. Grand Master La Valette was originally buried here, and his remains...
Restoration of Lunzjata Fountain, Kercem, Gozo The picturesque 17th century fountain in Lunzjata Valley, a well loved landmark in Kercem, Gozo, has been restored by Din l-Art Helwa in a joint project with the Kercem Local Council. The restoration was made possible with the generous support of the...
San Blas Tower, also known as ‘it-Torri ta’ Isopu’, is situated on the cliff between San Blas and Dahlet Qorrot. It was built in 1667 during the reign of Grandmaster Nicholas Cottoner at the expense of the Universita of Gozo. The guns of this Tower opened fire on the French fleet in June 1798, a distinction which no other Tower...
The Manoel Theatre, an architectural jewel built by Grand Master Antonio de Vilhena in 1731, is one of the oldest theatres in Europe. Din l-Art Helwa is a partner in the restoration being carried out on various parts of the theatre, including the restoration of the paintings on the front of the theatre boxes.
As part of its restoration programme to secure landmarks for the nation, Din l-Art Helwa has restored the ‘De Vilhena’ Lion statue in East Street corner with Archbishop Street, Valletta. When Valletta was being planned by the Order of the Knights of St. John, one of the regulations regarding building was that corners had to be embellished...
This Gate is set back along the main arterial road from St Paul’s Bay to Mellieha. It was the principal gateway to an estate set up in 1607 by Grand Master de Wignacourt to collect money for the ransom of slaves, through a Foundation known as the ‘Monte di Redenzione degli Schiavi’, said to have been inspired by a Lenten...
This is one of a number of vedettes (watchposts) constructed at strategic points along the bastions. It is located on the Valletta bastions opposite the Central Bank of Malta and St James Cavalier. These vedettes, known as gardjoli in Maltese, were constructed by the Order of St John at strategic points along the bastions. This watchpost commands sweeping views of the...
