Restoration works started yesterday on the 18th century bell and its belfry on the Fort St Angelo bastions.

The bell and its niche are being restored by experts from Heritage Malta and the restoration unit in the Resources Ministry.

The belfry was built in the mid-20th century, replacing a loftier one that overlooked the former guardroom in the fort. Although a period piece, the bell is not the same one used during the Great Siege of 1565. In fact, an engraved inscription saying Anno Dni 1716 and stylistic considerations point to an 18th century date.

These works do not fall under the €1.5 million emergency funds allocated in the 2010 Budget to restore the deep fissures that appeared in the bottom part of the fort's ramp and parts of its main gate. Architects had installed small sheets of glass across the cracks in the stonework, warning those within the fort to evacuate if these broke.

In September, Heritage Malta, which is responsible for the fort, filed a full development application with the planning authority for emergency works in parts of the fort.