International architects visit 18th century Fort Manoel

A site visit recently took place at Fort Manoel as part of an international forum to commemorate the tricentenary of Sebastien le Prestre Vauban's death and his influence on the development of the fortifications in Malta during the 18th century.

Vauban was a French marshal and the foremost military engineer of his age, famed for his skill in both designing fortifications and in breaking through them.

Various internationally acclaimed architects - mostly French and Italians were led throughout Fort Manoel, to appreciate the restoration work that has taken place by the architecture partnership aoM on behalf of MIDI plc, the developers of Tigné Point and Manoel Island.

Leader of the restoration team, architect Alex Torpiano said of Fort Manoel: "We have been working on the fort for four years and the first phase will be finished in 2008, which consists of the fort itself. The bastions and the out-works will be completed in another five years.

"Fort Manoel is very interesting for the architects who took part in the seminar because although Vauban himself didn't build it, it was designed by the principles written down by him. We are extremely lucky to have this fortification survive in relatively good condition, and I look forward to visitors experiencing what this fort was meant to look like when it was constructed in the 18th century.

Co-ordinator of the forum, restoration architect Claude Busuttil, said of the visit: "Fort Manoel is truly a model fort, very similar to those in France and in other French colonies.

"However, Fort Manoel in particular was most representative of the period and the Vauban school. Many of us are so pleased that after so many years of abandonment and neglect, at last something is being done - MIDI has ensured that the fort is being rehabilitated and brought back to its former glory."

MIDI plc is the consortium carrying out the €30 million restoration works as part of the obligation to their lease agreement, in conjunction with aoM and Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna as heritage monitors.