Fort St Angelo may get EU cash for restoration
Fort St Angelo, once a bulwark in the defence of Europe, may get EU funds for its much needed restoration.
An application has been made to the EU for the injection of cash to enable the transformation of the fort into a tourist attraction.
It is still not clear how much the EU grant would amount to even though the planning authority and heritage organisations have said the restoration bill would easily run into millions of euro. A government spokesman said it was too early to quantify the funding because it all depended on the plans that would be submitted.
However, it is understood that the money could cover most of the restoration job.
The fort was closed off after dangerous cracks appeared in the stonework in July. Heritage Malta, who is responsible for the fort, filed an urgent application for emergency repairs.
Following various appeals from heritage organisations, the government announced a €1.5 million fund for emergency repairs in the Budget speech and another €22 million were allocated for the fort's restoration a week later, during the Budget debate on the allocations for the ministry responsible for culture.
If granted, the EU funds would be used to restore and re-open the whole fort, transforming it into a cultural heritage attraction with heritage trails, historical re-enactments and a three-dimensional presentation for visitors.
In a call for expressions of interest published last week, the government invited organisations to submit detailed plans, which would include quotes, designs and studies.
But restoring the fort will not be an easy task. The €1.5 million are just a stopgap measure to restore parts of the main gate and the bottom part ramp, part of which developed deep fissures. The situation is so bad in this area that architects have installed small sheets of glass across the cracks in the stonework, warning those within the fort to evacuate if these break.
Also, the roof of the tunnel beneath the road that leads to the fort collapsed, leaving a gaping hole several metres deep. The stonework has been worn away by the weather and is heavily damaged in some parts by the sea spray. Parts of the fortified walls are being badly damaged by tree roots that have become deeply embedded in the bastions.
Left to face the elements and the ravages of time, the abandoned state of the fort has long been highlighted and condemned by heritage organisations, which called on the government to act before it was too late. In November, the planning authority board even carried out an onsite visit, instead of their weekly board meetings, to inspect the extent of the damage.
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victor pulis
Jan 6th 2010, 07:07
@Jesmond Micallef
The swimming pool was dug out beneath the cavalier and it is still there full af stagnant water and debris while the discoteque was situated in front of St. Anne's chapel. I still remember the noise going on till the early hours which could be heard all around the harbour area. To view more pictures of the state fo the fort go to 'St. Angelo' in facebook.
s aquilina
Jan 5th 2010, 20:32
@Jesmond Micallef If memory serves me right, the grounds were used as a discotheque, back in the early-mid eighties.
Jesmond Micallef
Jan 5th 2010, 18:47
During the Mintoff era, wasn't there a "Swimming Pool" put in there somewhere if I remember correctly ??? Fort St. Angelo should be restored to its fullest glory as much as possible with whatever financial means. !!! With my best wishes.
Josef Laspina
Jan 5th 2010, 17:00
It is not clear whether the fort was strictly medieval or renaissance. The Renaissance began circa 1500, however the knights employed medieval designs, albeit improved fortifications - as when compared to Rhodes. Therefore fort st elmo has elements from both eras. I would like to apologise for my earlier comment 'injorant' as it is not clear at all - an expert would solve this issue for you, i am not an expert! Best Regards
Raymond Sammut
Jan 5th 2010, 15:23
@ Jimmy Magro
My guess would be PPCD. This project would still be a proposal at this stage, and it will probably be similar to the one for the Mdina bulwarks and which has only been recently completed (as I understand) under the auspices of Minister Pullicino.
Aldo Gatt
Jan 5th 2010, 12:29
Excellent news. We also need to plan ongoing maintenance of the walls and forts as opposed to the purely cosmetic.
victor pulis
Jan 5th 2010, 12:23
Better late than never. This aid should have been forthcoming a long time ago. let us hope that efforts to get the funds don't fizzle out. As for the future use of the fort I have often written with suggestions as to how the fort can be utilized. I'm happy to read that the fort is to be transformed into '...a cultural heritage attraction with heritage trails, historical re-enactments and a three-dimensional presentation for visitors.' These were some of my suggestions together with a replica of armour and wepons used during the great Siege and perhaps a souvenir shop dealing in objects connected with the knights. But please not some hotel or spa.
St. Angelo is the jewel in Malta's fortifications and should be treated with dignity and respect.
Meanwhile hope springs eternal.
Raymond Sammut
Jan 5th 2010, 12:23
Fort St Angelo needs to have all the British Services additions scraped off -- owing to their incongruity -- and given full restoration in accordance with the original plans (which I believe were prepared by Italian military engineers way before 1545 when the Order first took possession). This fort, along with Fort St Elmo, should not be made merely "tourist attraction". Restoration works should, instead, treat these forts as national monuments which are seeds of Maltese -- and European -- heritage and history. They should also pay tribute to the many soldiers and civilians who fought and died in and around these forts, even as recently as 1941-43. Tribute should be paid to the fallen on both sides of the conflict.
Jimmy Magro
Jan 5th 2010, 12:12
From the report, it is not clear whether the application for EU funding has been made with the PPCD or the EU Commission.
There are several "black holes" in the report as one cannot apply for funds without preparing a full and detailed project. There is also no reference how this report originated, who applied for the funds and who will carry out the restoration.
Franco Farrugia
Jan 5th 2010, 10:40
I think that every effort should be made to restore St Angelo - and it should be given top priority in the projects at hand. There must also be a study carried out about what role it should have both in the tourism sector as well as in the life of the local community.
Luke Scicluna
Jan 5th 2010, 10:30
Finally some cash for good cause for tourism and maltese history...fort sant angelo is our pearl in the grand harbour.