Valletta (alternatively Belt Valletta, Citt Umilissima, or Humilissima Civitas Valletta) is the capital city of Malta. It is located in the central-eastern portion of the island of Malta and has a population of 6,315. Valletta, the Citt Umilissima, is essentially Baroque in character, with elements of Mannerist, Neo-Classical and Modern architecture in selected areas. Although many of its treasures survive, World War II left major scars on the city. The City of Valletta was officially recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. The city shares its early history with the island of Malta. The foundation stone of Valletta was laid by the Grandmaster of the Order of Saint John, Jean Parisot de la Valette on 28 March 1566. The Order decided to found a new city on the Xiberras peninsula just after the end of the Siege of Malta in 1565, so as to fortify the Order's position in Malta and bind the Knights to the island. The city was designed by Francesco Laparelli. Many of the most important buildings were built by the Maltese architect Gerolamo Cassar. Valletta is an urban area which boasts many buildings from the 16th century and onwards, many built during the rule of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem (the Knights Hospitaller). La Valette placed the first stone in Our Lady of Victories Church. The city's plan was a departure from medieval Maltese architecture, which exhibited irregular winding streets and alleys. Laparelli designed the new city with rectangular grids, without any collacchio (an area restricted for important buildings). The streets were designed to be wide and straight, beginning centrally from the City Gate to end at Fort Saint Elmo overlooking the Mediterranean. Certain bastions were built 153 feet (47 m) tall. La Valette died on 21 August 1568, aged 74 and never saw the completion of his city. Originally interred in the church of Our Lady of the Victories, his remains now rest in St. John's Co-Cathedral. His tomb is surrounded by those of other Grand Masters of the Knights of Malta. After the Knights' departure and the brief French occupation, building projects in Valletta resumed under British rule. They widened gates, demolished and rebuilt structures, widened newer houses over the years, and installed civic projects. Nazi and Fascist air raids throughout World War II destroyed areas of the city and its infrastructure. The majestic Royal Opera House, constructed at the city entrance in the 19th century, was one of those lost in the raids. Often overlooked are the many sentry posts and lookout towers that pepper the city bastions. Before the construction of the city a tower existed there, originally erected by the Phoenicians and later used by the Greeks and Romans. The existing watchtowers were built under the Knights and have been used by every succeeding conquering power since. They vary in design but are generally rounded and bear armorial or symbolic carvings on their exterior. One common motif, especially in restored examples, is the eye. This symbol is also found on the sides of dgajes and luzzijiet, traditional Maltese boats. The watchtowers are placed at strategic locations throughout the city, most prominently towards its rear and main entrance. The present City Gate (Bieb il-Belt) is the fourth to have stood at the entrance to Valletta. The original gate, known as Porta San Giorgio, was designed by military engineer Francesco Laparelli de Carotona and was erected between April 1566 and 1569. It was replaced in 1632 by a more ornate gate designed by Maltese architect Tommaso Dingli, during the rule of Grand Master Antoine de Paule. In 1853, at the height of British rule over Malta, a new gate designed by a certain Col. Thompson of the Royal Engineers was erected, consisting of two central arches with two smaller ones. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, City Gate was known as Porta Reale, "Putirjal" in Maltese and "Kingsway" in English. The present City Gate was inaugurated during the Independence celebrations in 1964.