Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna – the Malta Heritage Trust, is opening Notre Dame Gate to the public today between 10am and 4pm.

FWA volunteers will give guided tours in Maltese and English to visitors throughout the day. A printed history of the building will also be available.

This activity is being held in conjunction with the Euromed Heritage II DELTA (Development of Territorial Cultural Systems) project of which FWA is a partner.

Notre Dame Gate is one of 24 heritage sites currently held in trust by FWA. It was built by Grand Master Fra Nicholas Cottoner in 1675 as part of the nine-km long Cottonera defensive line. Its design is attributed to the celebrated architect Romano Carapecchia.

Most parts of the Gate will be open for public viewing during the open day. Members of the public are also invited to make their way to the top roof of the gate from where they will be able to enjoy excellent vistas of a large part of the island.

An exhibition, tied to the DELTA project on Cottonera as a region can also be viewed. There is a token donation fee of 50c per adult. Children admitted free of charge. All the funds generated will go towards the on-going restoration of this site