Triton Fountain

in Valletta

CC BY-SA / Diego Delso

The Triton Fountain is one of Malta's most iconic landmarks — a magnificent symbol of Valletta that greets visitors just outside the City Gate, at the entrance to the capital. Completed in 1959, the fountain was designed by Maltese sculptor Chevalier Vincent Apap and draftsman Victor Anastasi, two of the island's most respected artists of the 20th century. Conceived during a period of national optimism and modernization, the fountain was intended to create a grand civic space that reflected Malta's enduring relationship with the sea. Today, it stands not only as a work of public art but also as a powerful emblem of Maltese identity and pride.

The design features three massive bronze Tritons, figures from Greek mythology known as the messengers and sons of Poseidon, supporting a vast bronze basin atop their shoulders. Set on a circular travertine base, the composition conveys a sense of motion, strength, and balance — qualities that mirror Malta's seafaring heritage. Each Triton is posed dynamically, with two sitting and one kneeling, creating a graceful triangular arrangement that allows all three faces to be visible from the City Gate. The design draws inspiration from the Fontana delle Tartarughe in Rome, echoing its classical elegance while giving it a distinctly Maltese interpretation through scale and symbolism.

The Triton Fountain has not only served as an artistic landmark but also as a centerpiece for national life and celebration. Since its dedication in 1959, it has been the site of parades, gatherings, and commemorations, standing as the threshold between Valletta and the rest of Malta. However, its history has not been without incident. During a national celebration in 1978, the top of the fountain was used as a stage platform, and the excessive weight caused the structure to collapse, severely damaging the statues. In the 1980s, it was rebuilt with the addition of a central support column for stability — the version that remained for decades until a more recent restoration.

In 2017, as part of the City Gate regeneration project led by architect Renzo Piano, the Triton Fountain was fully dismantled, restored, and reassembled. The restoration brought back the fountain's original proportions and dynamic balance, removing the added column and reinstating the floating effect of the bronze figures. Illuminated at night and surrounded by an open pedestrian plaza, the fountain today serves as both a gateway and a gathering place — a stunning modern piazza where locals and visitors meet against the backdrop of Valletta's golden bastions. Whether admired for its mythological beauty or its symbolic connection to the Maltese spirit, the Triton Fountain remains one of Malta's most photographed and beloved landmarks.

The Triton Fountain appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Valletta!

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