One World - Protecting the most significant buildings, monuments and features of Valletta (19)

This fountain stands under a free-standing arch and consists of a semicircular basin in front of the archway. In the basin is a pedestal which is heavily sculpted in acanthus leaves and three bear heads sprouting water at the base.

The pedestal supports a large scallop-shaped basin supporting three intertwined dolphins, originally also acting as waterspouts. The dolphins' tails support an orb on top of which was a cherub, but the latter is missing.

The archway is supported on two pilasters having decorative stone flower pots. On top of the arch is an eagle with spread wings and stretched up head. The use of bears' heads in fountains is extremely rare.

The fountain was originally located in what is now Independence Square at Valletta (originally Treasury Square). It was moved to the Mall in Floriana in 1887 when Treasury Square was re-laid to accommodate the statue of Queen Victoria. The fountain arch was restored in 2003 and the dolphins were replaced by a replica in 2007.

Mepa scheduled the fountain as a Grade 1 national monument as per Government Notice No. 276/08 in the Government Gazette dated March 28.