It has been reported that the Government is seriously considering restoring the Fleur-de-Lys archway, which had been demolished by a military vehicle towards the end of World War II.

This is a brilliant idea and the rebuilt archway would add beauty to Birkirkara and Santa Venera’s environment, restoring history to its proper dimension. When Bontadino de Bontadini, the Dominican engineer, managed to build the 15-kilometre Wignacourt Aqueduct from Dingli and Wied il-Bużbież to Valletta 400 years ago, he spanned the Birkirkara aqueduct gap with this beautiful gate. Its decoration represented Grand Master Aloph de Wignacourt’s (1601-1622) coat-of-arms featuring the lily flower, or fleur-de-lys (pronounced liss).

What a relief it would be to see this gateway re-erected close to its original spot. A big well done to its supporters and re-creators.

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