When walking through Balluta Square, chances are you came across this fountain right in the centre of the square, a fountain you may have passed by many times.

But did you know its history?

The fountain is 143 years old, having been built in 1882 to commemorate the time when Sliema’s freshwater system was extended to the rest of the village and the surrounding areas.

Water can be seen coming out from four different pathways, all dripping through from a lion’s mouth.

It was first placed in St.Anne’s Square before it was relocated to Balluta Square in the 1940s, where it is still found to this day.

The fountain, referred to as the ‘Diana’ fountain, was built by Emanuele Luigi Galizia.