Wignacourt Arch

Joe Xuereb (London UK)

Dec 29th 2009, 17:07

L., as long as you are all for preserving our heritage, I have no quarrel with you. My imaginative now frets to roam (a good percentage of archaeology is that remember), so please allow me. I dare say the arable land was there first - wonderful vision L. - then came the aqueduct. Later, who knows when, the soild was shored up right up to the wall and the rubble wall built to keep the soil in. Sometime around WWII the decorative arch was demolished (not the only significant building to be so treated even in our time). I will look at your links - thank you - and dream a little more about my village, Santa Vennera. That beautiful little church deemed too small for a small population. I'd better good before I drench my laptop. Have a good new year, one and all. You too L., especially. We're friends now. Take care mate.

Antoine Sciberras

Dec 29th 2009, 08:53

Is it possible to build a replica in the round about. Im sure it would fit there. Local council, get the funds and landscape that ugly round about.

Galea. L

Dec 28th 2009, 23:50

Joe Xuereb
You got me wrong Joe. On the contrary I am all for preserving whatever heritage we have.
The walls must have been there before the aqueduct was built and they remained there or were rebuilt between its arches. I don't think that the Knights would have wanted to waste any land since Malta never produced enough for its population even at the time of the Knights. The Aqueduct looks better now and the links have pictures of it. A better view is on
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wignacourt_Aqueduct_Santa_Venera_Malta.jpg
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3572886
http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGallDetail.asp?photoID=3727051
http://www.gov.mt/newsletterarticle.asp?a=164&l=2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/krisdamato/3409920847/
http://traveldk.com/malta/around-central-malta/dk/wignacourt-aqueduct-attard

Joe Xuereb

Dec 28th 2009, 18:50

Galea, L. Are you, by any chance implying that the aqueduct desecrated the fields and therefore deserves to be desecrated themselves? Tit-for-tat kind of thing. I am not a builder but I do have some common sense and an eye for aesthetics. The field, the soil could have been arranged so that it started say, a couple of feet behind the aqueduct. Enough for the arches to be left free-standing so to speak. This would have meant a few square metres less of arable land. Malta was at war at the time so I guess a few kilos of veggies extra was not to be sniffed at. Especially on the black-market. I was brought up just down the road in a place not exactly overly endowed with antiquities. I understand that the aqueduct was recently rehabilitated. I wonder what it looks like now? I have not been to Malta for a good number of years. The place does not pull me to it much these days. I prefer London and its blue plaques. Much the same as Malta in fact. But here at least I have no vested interest. So no heart-ache. Or only in a detached kind of way

Frans Sammut

Dec 28th 2009, 15:53

Mr Mizzi is to be constantly congratulated on his unceasing efforts to push the restoration of the beautiful furniture Maltese streets were adorned with in days gone by.
Here is hoping Mr Mizzi's suggestions are taken up by the competent authorities.
Once again, well done John, and keep it up!

Galea L

Dec 28th 2009, 14:52

Joe Xuereb (London UK)
The rubble walls were there because there were fields on the other side at the time, so they were needed as any other rubble wall in any field. The aqueduct was built through fields.
The arch was removed by the British Services because of their military needs. Here are some links on the aqueduct.
http://www.chevron.co.uk/malta/attractions/wignacourt-aqueduct.asp
http://schoolnet.gov.mt/attard/geninfo.html
http://www.medinaportal.net/malta/pages/poc.php?ID_POC=184&ID_Lang=1
Malta 1/2d postage stamp stamped 1959 on e-bay depicting the Wignacourt Floriana fountain
http://cgi.ebay.ca/MALTA-247-%28SG267%29---Wignacourt-Aqueduct-%28pa2505%29-CDS_W0QQitemZ360220663408QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20091225?IMSfp=TL091225194001r1997

Joe Xuereb (London UK)

Dec 28th 2009, 14:05

Thanks Mr. Mizzi. I have a vague recollection of this little wonder. I will save the image for nostalgic reasons. Somebody has to care.
The great shame is its demolition. For what? The desecration was happening even while it was standing. Note the rubble-walls blocking the beautiful arches. Philistinism has been around for much longer than we think it seems.
If the masonry, or some of it, still exists I might agree with its rebuilding. But to the side? If no remnants survive, then let it be. Let it serve its dignified purpose by using it as a reminder of how we should not behave, what we should not do again, and again, and again. I sometimes feel I am carrying Malta on my shoulders and nobody gives a damn. You see Mr. Mizzi, some things are just not cost-effective so they have to go. I know what I talk about. London UK, a wonderful city. Full of Blue Plaques - so-and-so lived on this site, this building, such and such happened here, another Blue Ceramic. But where's the original? I want the original? London. A wonderful, modern, cost-effective city. But where is the spirit? Like Budapest's, as an example.

Galea. L

Dec 28th 2009, 14:03

Congratulations on a very nice photo
Not only would it be nice to see it reconstructed, but it would also serve as a traffic calming measure.

Paul Mallia

Dec 28th 2009, 13:44

Prosit John. You have the most extensive library ever! If only all this could be found at the Maltese Bibljoteka, it would be really appreciated.

jon farrugia

Dec 28th 2009, 13:38

This country needs to get its priorities right. I do not intend to dampen the spirit of those nostalgic of our past but Fleur de lys road was, is and probably will still be the road to Hell.
It should be used to attract a new tourist niche: test engineers for big automobilia.

Roads minister, please take note : REBUILD THE ROAD_NOW !

A Borg

Dec 28th 2009, 12:20

Thank you John!