Mdina - Main Gate

The main Gate in Mdina dates from 1724 and was designed by de Mondion. It is a splendid, if top heavy, example of restrained Baroque by one of the Order's most prolific builders. The escutcheon bears his arms - the growling lions in the front are part of them and the inscription records the restoration of parts of the city walls.

On the inside facade are three statues of St Publius, St Paul and St Agatha, the island's and city's patron saints, all of whom carry palm fronds to symbolize their martyrdom. The remaining escutcheon is that of the island's oldest nobles, the Inguanez, while the blank one was defaced by the French in 1798.