De
Rohan Gate also known as the New Gateway, is a commemorative archway in Zebbug.
It was built in 1798 to commemorate the locality's status as a city, which had
been granted by Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc on June 1777. Initially
two arches were to be constructed but due to difficulties it was decided to
build a single arch at the entrance of the city. Funds for the building were
raised through fundraising by the population of Zebbug, as well as a donation
by the parish church. The arch was designed by the mason Giuseppe Xerri, who
also supervised its construction. It was inaugurated on 12 May 1798 by the new
Grand Master, Ferdinand von Hompesch. It is built in the neoclassical style and
the archway is flanked by rusticated Doric pilasters set on a plain pedestal.
The arch is topped by a triangular pediment having moulded edges. A gothic
designed niche, containing a portrait of the Ecce homo is located within the
arch. Restoration on the arch was done by the Restoration Directorate under the
Local Council Restoration Scheme 2016. Documentation of the chapel was done
using Laser Scanning. A group of five workers from the Restoration Directorate worked
on the project, where all the facades of the arched were manually cleaned and
pointing was reapplied where missing. Maintenance of the door and the niche was
also carried out. Works started at the
end of July 2016 and were completed at the end of November 2016.