Għargħur signalling tower restored

Following a century of silence, a voice was returned to the newly restored Għargħur signalling tower that now transmits the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage.

Built in 1848 by the British army, the Għargħur semaphore tower was one of a series of towers that worked like a chain to convey information across the island by using three manually operated large blades mounted on a pole.

"The position of the blades stood for a letter or number and, for the first time, these towers allowed a message to get across the island within minutes rather than having to wait for a messenger to reach a destination on horseback. In times of war, fast communication made all the difference," explained Godwin Hampton from the Malta Command living history group during the tower's inauguration.

The Għargħur tower will be opened to the public on special occasions and used as an exhibition space. In fact yesterday, the Malta Command group set up a day-long exhibition of military uniforms and war time equipment.

Għargħur mayor Mario Gauci said the tower, which stands on the border between Għargħur and Naxxar, has always been a landmark for the village.

For several years, he explained, it was privately owned but five years ago an agreement was signed and the local council took over the historic building to restore it with the help of the government.

Although not extensively damaged, works included replacing weathered stones and changing parts of the floor. Works were carried out by the Works Division's Restoration Division.

He explained that the semaphore system, which was invented by the French, came to Malta in the mid-1840s when poles were first installed on church steeples and domes. Eventually the Church objected to this military use and the military built three semaphore stations at Għaxaq, Għargħur, and Nadur. These consisted of three rooms built on top of each other linked by a spiral stair case.

In addition, three more stations were established on the Governor's Palace in Valletta, Selmun castle and Ta' Ġurdan Light House in Gozo.

The semaphore system was eventually replaced by the electronic telegraph and, during the Second World War, the Għargħur signal rower was occupied by the Royal Irish Fusiliers as a vantage point for observation.

Resources Minister George Pullicino said that although the Għargħur tower was a small one, it was part of Malta's national heritage and safeguarding it was a duty.

He added that works were planned to restore the parvis and balustrades of the Għargħur parish church as well as to continue works on the Victoria lines. Currently, he added, the government had 20 ongoing restoration projects that included works on Castille and the President's Palace, both in Valletta.