The first attempts to build the aqueduct were made by Grand Master Martin Garzez in 1596, but construction was suspended before being continued in 1610.

Several engineers took part in the project, including Bontadino de Bontadini, Giovanni Attard and Natale Tomasucci.

The aqueduct was named after Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt, who partially financed its construction.

[3] At the time, there were also fears of an Ottoman attack on Malta,[4] so a steady water supply to the capital was a priority for the military authorities in case of a siege.

[5] The order to build an aqueduct to carry water from springs in Dingli and Rabat to the capital was issued on 19 October 1596.

That year, Grand Master Martin Garzez brought in the Jesuit Padre Giacomo to design the watercourse.

[5][6][7] On 9 January 1610, work on the aqueduct began again under the direction of another Jesuit called Padre Natale Tomasucci.

[8][9] In July 1612, the Bolognese hydraulic expert Bontadino de Bontadini took over the project,[8][10] probably on the recommendation of Inquisitor Evangelista Carbonesi.

The constant supply of water brought about a rise in the populations of Valletta, Floriana and other towns and villages along the route of the aqueduct.

[17] Parts of the aqueduct, such as in Mosta Road, Attard, were demolished after WWII due to the development of housing estates and roadbuilding in the area.

[8] From 2004 to 2005, the aqueduct's surviving arches were restored and a lighting system was installed at a total cost of Lm 140,000.

[18][19] Some of the arches are in need of restoration once again, mainly because of pollution since a major road now runs alongside the aqueduct.

[8][22] They continue through Mdina Road (Maltese: Triq l-Imdina) in Balzan and Birkirkara, and the height of the arches gradually increases as the ground level drops.

From this tower, water continued its journey to Hamrun, Blata l-Bajda, Floriana and Valletta through underground pipes once again.

[12] One of the original plaques on the arch gave due respect to the engineer Bontadino de Bontadini.

[31] A late eighteenth-century coat of arms belonging to Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc was probably attached to the arch looking towards Mdina after the restoration of the aqueduct by de Rohan, but no certainty can be established; this coat of arms still exists and is located a few metres away, close to St Joseph Tower (see below), attached to a wall outside the entrance of a police station.

The turret is linked to the aqueduct's arches, and it has two floors with a buttressed lower level, giving it the resemblance of a coastal watchtower such as the De Redin towers.

The second water inspection tower was built on the hill of St. Nicholas in Hamrun, and it is known as il-Monument tat-Tromba[33] or it-Turretta ta' Atoċja.

It has a coat of arms which was damaged in World War II,[36] and an inscription which means:[37] Emmanuel De Rohan made this aqueduct stronger for the collection of water, with a newer one better built by the kind hearted Prince for the health of his people in the year 1780.

[51] When the square became a parade ground for the British military,[49] the fountain was first relocated close by to the Palace of Justice (later destroyed and replaced)[48] and then to St. Philip's Gardens in Floriana, where it remains today.

[64][59] Doria was an Italian Admiral of the Order of St John, praised for his role during sea battles against the Ottomans.

A small breakwater was built next to the fountain to safeguard the boats loading water aboard in the 17th century.

The damage prevented ships from using the water of the fountain, and consequently Grand Master Gregorio Carafa had to pay for renovation works.

[80] It consists of a lion's head pouring out water into a stone basin, topped by the coat of arms of Wignacourt and the Order and surrounded by a garland of flowers and interlocking seashells.

Below the coats of arms is a radiating sun with the inscription Omnibus Idem (meaning the same to all), indicating that the water was freely available to everyone.

[76][46] This fountain was relocated a number of times throughout its history: first in 1874 when the building near which it was built was demolished to build Palazzo Ferreria,[76] in the 1960s when the City Gate was rebuilt, in 2000 when Saint James Cavalier was renovated and converted into a cultural centre, and again in the early 2010s during the City Gate Project.

[84] At the National Library of Malta is a painting, next to Vilhena's Cabreo, which portrays some of Valletta's engineering water storage technique.