Most of the imposing historic gate will be open to the public for this occasion. Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna (FWA) is currently carrying out long term restoration on the gate which is not normally open to the public. Guided tours of the gate will be held at 11am and 2.30pm followed by a guided walk along part of the adjacent Cottonera Lines.
Brief displays showing the uniforms, kit and weaponry of the Order of St John’s soldiery during the 18th century as used by the garrison of this gate will also be shown.
Entrance is free but donations will be welcomed to assist in raising more funds to complete this ambitious restoration project. This activity is being held as part of FWA’s participation in the EU DELTA project under the Euromed Heritage II Programme and is meant to increase public awareness about the various potential Cottonera has as a region.
Notre Dame Gate is one of the original seven gates built into the Cottonera Lines, one of the two main gates to the Cottonera region, the other being St Paul’s Gate on the Senglea side which was demolished in the 19th century to make way for a new dock. Notre Dame Gate was intended to allow the population of what were termed as the Eastern provinces to take refuge behind the Cottonera ramparts in case of an invasion or attack by the Ottomans.
It was built by Grand Master Fra Nicola Cotoner in 1675 as part of the extensive defensive girdle around the Three Cities.
It may have been designed by the celebrated Roman Carapecchia although its building is attributed to Mederico Blondel, military engineer of the Order. This gate was dedicated to Our Lady of Graces, patron saint of Zabbar which town it faces, hence its name in French Notre Dame de la Grace.
Despite this it was given many other names over the decades such as Zabbar and Cotoner Gate by the British and Bieb is-Sultan by the Maltese. The latter comes from the massive bronze bust of Grand Master Cotoner positioned high on the front of the gate surrounded by a triumphal war festoon and surmounting a large marble plaque that commemorates the foundation of the defensive lines. According to local folklore a pirate’s treasure is buried under the watchful gaze of this Grand Master.
This bronze bust has recently been removed and taken for restoration by the Malta Centre for Restoration following a sponsorship by the Vodafone Foundation.
Notre Dame Gate can be reached by taking any bus to Cottonera (stopping at Vittoriosa) or Zabbar. For own car drivers it can be reached through Cottonera or Zabbar. Ample parking space is available.