Fort St Angelo

Fort St Angelo is Malta's landmark - it features promotional literature, advertising material, product labels. It served as a backdrop for the celebrations of Malta's entry into the European Union and for the adoption of the euro.

Yet it is falling into shambles. The contrast between the upper reaches of the fort, so magnificently and professionally restored and caringly looked after by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and the remaining parts of the fort which bear the scars of vandalism, cannot be more sharply brought to relief.

It is a pity that the entire fort was not entrusted to the Order to look after in the first place, if the will to do so on our part is lacking. What is Heritage Malta waiting for? When will restoration on Fort St Angelo be taken in hand? Is it after the studies being conducted on the state of Malta's fortifications is concluded?

Fort St Angelo is a special case: it was the Grand Harbour sentinel since medieval times. Yet it is now an epitome of abandon and neglect.

It already suffered irreparable damage in the 1970s and 1980s, but it seems we have not learned the lesson.

Some two years ago, the fort's original solid wood door at the Main Gate was removed and replaced by a wrought iron gate. It was carted to the Government carpentry shop at Marsa where it was to be repaired and refixed.

To this day, it is lying in the workshop yard exposed to the elements. Heritage Malta has forgotten about it, it seems.