Guardianship Deed Renewal for Couvre Porte Barracks

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has renewed the Guardianship Deed for Couvre Porte Barracks with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna (FWA).

First awarded under Guardianship in 2011, the site has been under the custody of FWA and will continue to be safeguarded under this renewed agreement.

Guardianship Deeds are a legal framework that facilitate the maintenance, conservation, and promotion of cultural heritage properties. The SCH, acting on behalf of the government, is responsible for establishing such agreements with NGOs and Local Councils to ensure the sustainable management of Malta’s cultural heritage.

About Couvre Porte Barracks

Built as part of Birgu’s 18th-century fortifications, Couvre Porte was a complex system of gateways leading into Vittoriosa. Its name, derived from French, means “Covered Gate”, reflecting its role in protecting Porta Superiore, Birgu’s main gateway.

During the British colonial period, a barrack block was constructed within the counterguard to accommodate stationed troops. In World War II, air-raid shelters beneath the site provided refuge for hundreds during air raids.

Today, the Couvre Porte Barracks house the Malta at War Museum, preserving the site’s military history.