As you walk from the Esplanade across the 196 foot bridge leading to the Old Fortress’ main gate, look down the 49 feet below. This moat, which the locals call Contrafossa, was dug by the Venetians during the 16th century. It technically converted the fortified peninsula into an island. On either side are dry ditches. The British replaced the old wooden bridge with the current iron one in 1819.
