Floriana - St Publius Square. The large open quadrangle in front of St Publius Church conceals a number of underground silos
for the storage of grain. The silos, deep bell-shaped pits, were dug during the rule of Grand Master Martin de Redin (1657-1660),
and intended as safe storage during periods of siege. There are 76 of these pits in the square, which are secured by large circular
stone caps. More than 5000 tons of wheat and grain could be stored betweath the square, and the granaries have been in continual use
since their construction, proving very useful during the last war, when the island was under sirge for more than 2 years.
They have now been largely replaced by modern above-ground silos.