Great Siege Square embellishment

Following Dennis Vella's interesting article on the most important bronze monument in Valletta, Sciortino's Great Siege monument (The Sunday Times, September 9), may I remind readers that the whole area was substantially upgraded in 1998 by the Valletta Rehabilitation Project after the very successful paving of Republic Street within the planned six months despite all the logistical problems of working in the capital's busiest street.

The project of Great Siege Square was a compliment to that of Republic Street and the paving pattern was the same as designed by Konrad Buhagiar but adapted by Claude Borg for the site.

We did, at the time, consider whether the trees should go for, although they have grown to large beautiful trees, they did leave the place in a mess due to the pigeons and birds. After consultation with MEPA at the time, however, it was decided against, as they are frequented by a particular bird, the white wagtail, during some months of the year (as is the case for the tress in front of St John's Co-Cathedral).

In the preparatory work for the new paving we unearthed the large basin base of the original fountain under the area of the Sciortino monument. This was recorded and recovered. Another decision that took some discussion was the replacement of the two cast-iron lamp posts which had seriously deteriorated.

We tried to restore them but were advised against. Two new lamp-posts (complete with the coat of arms of Valletta) were specifically ordered for the square through BTY Ltd. The paving itself is almost a replica of the Republic Street paving with one major change: we did not use local hard stone for the white slabs due to the rapid deterioration of those in Republic Street but used white marble. Another addition was the lighting system which was designed by Franck Franjou, the same designer of the Republic Street lighting, though not installed completely as planned.

A major change which everyone seems to have forgotten is that on a personal proposal we substantially widened the steps in front of the monument. In this way it has gained in its monumentality and also it is very practical for use during public ceremonies that take place in the square. The steps have proved to be a great improvement to the site.

As to the monument itself, there was a proposal for its conservation and there was also a promise of a sponsorship from one of the leading banks: unfortunately this never materialised. The bronze does need conservation though some action had been taken following a mistaken cleaning by another authority some years ago.

The area has been substantially upgraded. The monument has two major aesthetic problems. The first is the unsightly disabled access ramp installed around three years ago which mars the background of the monument as its breaks the beautiful lines of the Carapecchia façade facing Republic Street. The second, as correctly pointed out by Mr Vella, are the unsightly mobile kiosks put up every morning. I have personally repeatedly protested against this and other intrusions such as during Christmas but to no avail.

The buskers and the Christmas festivities organisors are given the go-ahead and just cover this beautiful national monument. I must also mention that during the last months I had proposed the placing two flag poles with a permanent flag of Malta and the European Union but somehow this was not approved.

I can not agree with Denis Vella that the monument be covered. It would lose the beauty of its setting. I do agree however that the pigeon population should be seen to in Valletta as they are causing great damage to all the monuments.