Floriana's fortifications were designed by the Italian military engineer Pietro Paolo Floriani [23:58], from whom the town within them took its name. Their construction began in 1636, during the reign of Grand Master Antoine de Paule, but modifications continued to be made in the years that followed and the following century. The lines were conceived to strengthen and extend Valletta's defences by surrounding the southern half of Sciberras Peninsula.
Some definitions of fortification terms:
Bastion: A fortification projecting outward from the curtain. Bastions were designed to prevent attackers gaining shelter from the defenders’ fire.
Counterguard: An outwork in a bastioned fortification system located outside the ditch in front of the actual fortress.
Counterscarp: Outer wall of the ditch.
Crownwork: A bastion with the walls on either side ending in half bastions from which longer flank walls run back towards the main fortress.
Curtain: A line of fortifications connecting two bastions.
Enceinte: the main defensive enclosure of a fortification.
Retrenchment: secondary works constructed in rear of existing defences to bar the further progress of the enemy if they succeed in breaching them.
Faussebraye: A defensive wall located outside the main walls of a fortification.
Glacis: Gentle slope leading up to the ditch in front of the fortification (the glacis was created to prevent attacking soldiers from taking cover while approaching the ditch).
Hornwork: outwork face flanked with two demi-badtions.
Lunette: A fortification consisting of two faces and two flanks. Its rear is open.
Polverista (Gunpowder Magazine): A fortified location where gunpowder and supplies were stored.
Ravelin: outwork with two faces forming a salient angle.
Marsamxett Enceinte [00:29]
Grand Harbour Enceinte [34:50]
Land Front [13:44]
Outwork [25:26]
San Salvatore Bastion and Counterguard (Sa Maison Gardens / Tal-Milorda) [01:05] [13:58]
La Vittoria Bastion [03:23]
Msida Bastion (Historic Gardens / Cemetery) [06:27]
Quarantine Bastion [09:59]
North Entrenchment [10:57]
Notre Dame Curtain and Gate [16:36]
St. James Bastion (Argotti Gardens) [17:03]
St. Philip Bastion (Gardens) [19:11]
St. Luke Bastion (The Scout Association / Congreve-Bernard Memorial Hall) [21:09]
St. Anne Curtain and Gate [22:53]
St. Francis Bastion [24:15]
Notre Dame Ravelin [25:34]
Faussebraye (and Lunettes) [27:25]
Jubilee Gardens [27:40]
Portes des Bombes (Porta dei Cannoni) [30:26]
Crowned Hornwork (La Galdiana / Floriana Park & Ride) [31:00]
St. Francis Ravelin (Planning Authority) [31:06]
Musketry Spur of Marsa [34:26]
Polverista Bastion (Capuchin / Docharra / Magazine / Vilhena Garden) [35:20]
Platform (Sir Luigi Preziosi Gardens) [38:15]
Crucifix Bastion (King George V Recreational Ground) [40:36]
Kalkara Bastion (Sir Paul Boffa Hospital) [42:01]
Link up with Valletta Land Front (Herbert Ganado Gardens) [42:55]
Music: Brahms Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op 68, Symphony Orchestra of the South West German Radio, Baden-Baden, conducted by Jascha Hotenstein.