Is it at all possible that the authorities restore the Wignacourt Fountain back to Palace Square? This Baroque architectural and sculptural masterpiece stands in the secluded St Philip's Garden at Floriana.

The fountain is fast deteriorating and soon many of its sculptural details will be lost forever. If bringing it back to Valletta is opposed by those who contend that its past relocation or modifications ought to be historically respected and must not be altered, then the authorities might consider creating a replica - after duly conserving the original, of course.

Reinstating this forgotten landmark complementing the adequate, carless embellishment of Malta's most eminent piazza will provide thesensual delight of beauty, sound and touch, a quintessentially Baroque characteristic.

The urban gain for Palace Square and indeed Valletta will be immense. One only has to look at the impact that fountains have on the streets and squares of Rome. A poignant inscription found on the long-gone Fleur-de-Lys arch which read "Hac Valletta Tenus Functum Jacuisse Cadaver Visa Est" (Hitherto this city of Valletta without water is like a corpse).

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