This formidable enceinte was built during the 17th and 18th centuries to completely surround the Three Cities of Birgu (Vittoriosa), l-Isla (Senglea) and Bormla (Cospicua) and bolster the defences of the inner Santa Margherita Lines. The Cottonera Lines comprise a uniform series of eight bastions, connecting curtains and a demi-bastion at each end, running from the French Creek in the west to Kalkara Creek in the north. The westernmost Valperga Demi-Bastion was demolished in the nineteenth century to make way for the dockyard.
Two of the central bastions - St. Clement and Notre Dame - were incorporated into the St. Clement Retrenchment and linked to the Santa Margherita Lines in the 1850s, during the British period.
Starting at the western (Għajn Dwieli) end of the defensive lines where they link up with the Santa Margherita Lines overlooking the French Creek, this video follows the entire length of the lines to Kalkara and Birgu Land Front in the north. On the way we climb up some of the bastions and visit all the Gates that are accessible to see (only one is not, namely St. James). The video follows both sides of the ramparts, outside and within the walls, during the process of their restoration.
Related videos:
Santa Margherita Lines • Exploring the Santa Ma...
St Clement Retrenchment and Fort Verdala • St. Clement's Retrench...
Corradino Lines • More than meets the ey...
List of bastions, gates and other points of interest
St. Paul Bastion [00:18]
St. John Gate [3:23]
San Ġwann t'Għuxa Church [4:53]
St. John Bastion [6:33]
Rainwater tunnel [11:10]
St. Nicholas Curtain [12:14]
St. Helen's Gate [12:36]
St. Nicholas Bastion [14:14]
St Clement Gate [16:35]
St. Clement Curtain [17:25]
Curtain Wall and Tenaille [20:57]
Notre Dame Bastion [21:37]
Notre Dame Gate [23:05]
St. James Bastion [24:03]
St. James Gate and Curtain [24:49]
St. Edward's College [25:15]
St Louis Bastion (and cemetery) [25:19]
Behind St. Louis Curtain [25:50]
San Salvatore Bastion [26:06]
Fort San Salvatore [26:26]
San Salvatore Curtain and Gate [26:55]
St Laurence Demi-Bastion [27:49]
Birgu Land Front [28:09]
Music: Dvorak Cello Concerto in B Minor Op 104 (second movement cut short). St. Louis Symphony Orchestra conducted by Walter Susskind. Zara Nelsova on cello.