Recalling St Madaleine Ravelin, Valletta

The decision to relocate the bus terminus is indeed welcome news. Once pedestrianised, this vast space will appropriately embrace commuters into Valletta through its new intimate entrance.

May I suggest that in the paving scheme to be adopted around the Triton fountain, contrasting lines are introduced (similar to those used in the paving schemes inside the city's streets) to subtly but clearly bring out the building lines of the Hospitaller fortifications that were demolished/buried at the beginning of the 20th century, particularly St Madaleine Ravelin (see images).

With these lines, pedestrians will be able to understand the strong axiality and symmetry that the knights employed in their designs for the land-front battlements of Valletta and later Floriana. This characteristic will be further appreciated from the vantage point that Renzo Piano is proposing above City Gate, observing this linearity which is carried along Republic Street, Biskuttin and Maglio Gardens, culminating down at Fort St Elmo.