In the centre of St Anne’s Square there is a fountain surmounted by a lion. The lion is holding the coat-of-arms of Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena. Although the fortification lines as planned by Pietro Paolo Floriani had been built in 1635, the Order initially did not give any permission for people to live within these fortification walls. In 1728 a fountain was erected, catering to the increased population of the area. A regulation was also issued stating that no one could stay idle near the fountain, except for those that were drawing water. By this time the suburb was given the name of Borgo Vilhena.
The Aqueduct Tower
After the building of Valletta, the Knights realised the need to have enough water supplied to the fortified city. It was only towards the end of the 16th century that Grand Master Martino Garzes tried to have this dream materialise. Although the project was initiated, due to financial and technical problems the project was never completed. It was then during the magistracy of Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt that these plans were continued, as Wignacourt invited the engineer, Bontadino dei Botnadini, to Malta. This engineer continued the previous work already done, and finally brought the project to completion by April 1615. The whole system had a number of inspection towers along the way, and this one in Floriana was the last one before Valletta. On the doorway there is the name of the engineer who completed the project.
