Much damage has been caused to the fabric of Portes des Bombes with constant regularity over the years through such accidents.

Portes des Bombes was built by the Order of St John as part of the Floriana Lines in the late 17th

century.

It was originally designed to have just one opening, but this was later increased to two by the British in the 19th century.

In the early 20th century, the gate was cut off from the adjoining rampart walls to allow for the increased volume of motorised vehicular

traffic.

When originally designed, the gate was intended for the passage of horse drawn vehicles which were of a certain size and not for the fast moving vehicles of today.