With the new entrance to Valletta, the City has lost its traditional impact as an impregnable fortified city.

In fact, going through Napoleon’s memories, in his writings, referring to the Egyptian expedition, there is a chapter on the conquest of Malta, Gozzo (sic) and Commino.

With regard to Valletta with its thick fortifications and deep ditches it was General Caffarelli that jokingly said: “It was good luck that there were people inside to open the doors for us”. Some historians refer to Napoleon as having said these words but it was not he who uttered them.

Without a gate Valletta is no longer a completely fortified city, it has a gap at its entrance thanks to architect Renzo Piano’s project. Some may mention the road leading to Castille but that is a different story and has a different outlook.