Restoration works at Fort St Angelo have been embarked upon by Heritage Malta, in collaboration with the Restoration Unit within the Resources Ministry.

The first task is the restoration of the bell-cot, its bell and the surrounding area of the cavalier.

Although a period piece, the bell hanging on the bastions of Fort St Angelo is not the one that might have been in place during the Great Siege of 1565.

This is because it carries an engraved inscription on its top which states “Anno Dni 1716 …” This is also supported by stylistic considerations, which point to an 18th century manufacturing date.

The bell will be examined by Heritage Malta conservators, before being put back in place, following the restoration of the badly damaged bell-cot. The structure supporting the bell seems to have been erected around the mid-20th century and replaced a loftier bell-cot that surmounted the former towering guardroom on the same cavalier.

In September, Heritage Malta, the agency managing parts of the Fort, filed a full development application with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for emergency works in various parts of the Fort.

The Culture Ministry, which is responsible for Heritage Malta, was allocated 1.5 million euros in the last budget for emergency works at Fort St Angelo.

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