Check her out! The iconic skew arch dedicated to the Maltese capomastro (principal architect of the Order of St John) Giovanni Barbara received one heck of a facelift and is looking gorgeous.

The arch has been standing for nearly 300 years and forms part of the Floriana Lines that overlook the Marsamxett Harbour, which were complete in 1726. The arch suffered extensive damages during World War II and had been left unseen to for years, until last year, when works began on the restoration of this glorious arch.

The arch that Barbara designed spans around nine metres over the Ritirata ditch and is considered to be one of the finest examples of a masonry skewed arch on the Maltese Islands. It’s safe to say the capomastro was one talented dude!

After years of neglect, the arch is now looking mighty fine thanks to the major facelift it received. Stabilisation and restoration works were performed at this historic site and it is one of the few that possibly still exist on our islands.