The midday cannon prepared to be fired from the saluting battery, Upper Barracca Gardens, Valletta. Malta.
This is a one of a series of seven photographs showing the moments before, during, and after the firing of the midday cannon at the saluting battery, Upper Barracca Gardens, Valletta. Malta. The seven image references are EH6RXC, EH6RXH, EH6RXT, EH6RXY, EH6RY4, EH6RY8 and EH6RYB. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Saluting Battery is Valletta’s ancient ceremonial platform from where gun salutes are still fired. The passage of time is marked twice daily from here with gun fire at noon () and afternoon (). The battery itself is located at one of the capital’s highest vantage points from where splendid vistas of the Grand Harbour and its surrounding towns can be enjoyed. Its origins go back to the time when Valletta was built by the Order of St. John in 1566. In its heyday, its guns not only defended the city and harbour but also greeted visiting dignitaries and ships. One of its cannon was fired daily to signal time at noon. Another one was fired at sunrise and sunset to indicate the hour at which the town gates were to be opened and closed. The battery remained in constant use for almost 400 years, under the Knights, the French and the British. In 1954 it was closed and its guns were removed. This historic monument has recently been restored to perform all of its original functions. It is shown as it stood in the late 1800s, complete with working cannon, artillery stores, gun powder magazine, historic ordnance collection and a small museum. (Info courtesy of )
Size: 5184px × 3456px
Location: Saluting battery, Upper Barracca Gardens, Valletta. Malta.
Photo credit: © Jerry Taylor / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 12, action, bastion, blast, cannon, cannons, canon, canons, explosion, fire, firing, flame, gun, gunpowder, guns, historical, history, malta, midday, military, noon, shot, soldier, twelve, uniform, valletta
