Bastions revealed as Vittoriosa's old oil depot is demolished
The new view of the Vittoriosa bastions (top) and the view before the oil depot was demolished.
A section of the Vittoriosa bastions that was hidden for almost a hundred years was revealed today when what remained of the building in front of it was demolished.
Resources Minister George Pullicino, whose ministry carried out the works, said a 'jewel of architecture' had been revealed.
This section of the bastions was hidden by what was known as the 'oil depot building' built by the British forces early in the last century.
The removal of the building had given rise to some controversy, with the Opposition representative on Mepa, Roderick Galdes, voting against the project.
The Resources Ministry however successfully argued before Mepa that the building had no historical or architectural importance and its removal would enhance the view of the bastions.
The section of the bastions revealed today would now be rehabilitated, Mr Pullicino said.
He went around the site accompanied by Vittoriosa Mayor Joe Boxall, who welcomed the fact that a new open space had been created.
The stones of the oil depot building have been kept by the contractor for re-use.
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joseph scerri
Jun 27th 2010, 12:47
These fortification which the KNIGHTS of ST JOHN build on this tiny island in the middle of the mediterrean, are a real JEWEL of construction, and we should take care of. Apart we should use these more as a great tourist attraction because personally I think that not so much is being done in this aspect. For example, something should be done to organise guilded tours around so many hitorical gates and bastions around the COTTONERA line of fortifications espesially those surrounding the city of COSPICUA.
John Spiteri Gingell
Jun 26th 2010, 19:29
MilitaryArchitecture.com notes with satisfaction that the bastioned Hornwork of the Post of Castile, in Vittoriosa, has finally been given back its proper legibility with the dismantling of the oil-bunkering structure which had been crudely grafted on to the lower half of the bastioned enceinte during the past century. This utilitarian structure, of little architectural merit and negligible historic significance (truly a glorified garage), has for the past century deprived Birgu of its most powerful, dramatic, and evocative views along its bastioned enceinte.
Visiting the site, we could not help but notice the considerable damage that was also inflicted to the bastions’ masonry fabric with the insertion of steel beams, concrete bonding, and masonry grafting that had been constructed to support the oil bunker’s roof and other structures. Surely, had such a structure been proposed today, it would never have made it past planning regulations.
After a lapse of a century, the Birgu fortifications are finally beginning to be seen and experienced as they were originally meant to be.
For further reading, MilitaryArchitecture.com carries an editorial on the subject at http://www.militaryarchitecture.com/conservation/35/564.html
Joseph Mizzi
Jun 26th 2010, 12:11
How about removing / evicting the unsightly Vittoriosa and Cospicua Regatta Clubs, while we're at it?
Joe Morana
Jun 26th 2010, 11:11
Well done to Minister and Vittoriosa local council.
The idea to create open public areas outside and inside the bastions is commendable.
George Busuttil
Jun 26th 2010, 11:00
Good work. Now the same thing should be done by removing the building attached to the Macina bastions in Senglea and the 'Jungle' at Verdala in Cospicua. Both these eyesore are diminishing greatly from the attraction that these old fortifications should be.
R. Caruana
Jun 26th 2010, 08:53
To think that the Labour Party rep on the MEPA board voted against this!
N. Psaila
Jun 26th 2010, 09:46
A typical blind vote by the opposition.
Josanne Aquilina
Jun 26th 2010, 08:10
What about Addolorata cemetery now. All restoration works seems to have stopped , if they ever started
P Micallef
Jun 26th 2010, 08:06
Well done. However, other parts of the Vittoriosa bastions and marina are being neglected. Walking along the marina one notices plastic flower pots which are broken and the plants are dead. They are an eyesore and give a very bad impression to visitors, maltese and tourists alike. Many floodlights meant to illuminate the bastions and facades of historical buildings are burnt thus leaving these magnificent buildings in the dark . The entrance to Sant Anglu is still in derelict state. This is simply a question of maintenance which the management of the Vittoriosa Marina and the Vittoriosa Local Council should attend to.
J Abela
Jun 26th 2010, 05:26
Shame! What is happening to our industrial heritage?
A. Zahra
Jun 26th 2010, 11:11
So in your opinion a nondescript oil depot of no architectural merit blighting one of the most beautiful segments of our bastions forms part of our industrial heritage and is to be preserved. How mistaken you are.
Vincent Bezzina
Jun 26th 2010, 00:15
Finally a smart move. Many historical places are blighted by war time constructions left by the British. Our old colonial masters were intent on servicing their fleet primarily and generally serving the interest of their empire, with. We need far more of these demolitions. Why its taken decades to clean up beggars the mind.
Joseph Ellul - Sydney
Jun 27th 2010, 08:09
and what about those ugly lonely towers around the sea coast ? Those were used by other Maltese tyrants. Murder has been done in at least one. Why not demolish them too. Malta has historical value in the eyes of all but if you start demolishing you might as well do the lot. When I visit Malta I like to see everything as it was not as some people like it to be.
Rebuild history not eliminate it. What you might be doing is the same as what the Egyptians and the Romans did.
It is good to restore but do not fully demolish everything of what has been built in the last 200 Years.
victor vella
Jun 25th 2010, 22:52
Whilst congratulating both the Mayor and the minister can I be allowed to ask that the space created is enhanced and a recreational area created and not allow the boats owners to take over the place.
Simon Camilleri
Jun 25th 2010, 22:10
Very nice, but what are the structures on the left. Flats?
J Ellul - Sydney
Jun 27th 2010, 08:26
I like the bottom picture better. It seems to blend in. The removal of the old oil depot seems to have unbalanced the perspective. When is the yellow coloured building going to fall ? And how about cleaning the whitewash from the bastions . It seems that the old oil structure kept the bastions preserved more than the rest.
By the way, do you know that Malta's rainfall has been getting more acidic in these last 60 years? This actually corrodes the Maltese rock at more than twice the normal rate. At this rate the external walls of the Chitadels of both Malta and Gozo will fall down by 2100.
After that Valletta and surrounds will be next.
victor pulis
Jun 25th 2010, 19:40
A commendable move indeed. Now let's not make the mistake of developing the old fishmarket beneath Valletta's bastions into a 'boutique hotel' whatever that is as has been suggested some weeks ago.
N. Psaila
Jun 26th 2010, 09:47
What would you suggest be done with it then?
Raymond Sammut
Jun 27th 2010, 04:17
@ N. Psaila
Malta's bastions should be allowed to be free-standing structures --in full view and no other structures attached to them. These bastions are not found anywhere else in the world. They are Malta's true heritage for they make Malta a unique place. They are to us what the Great Wall of China is to the Chinese.
JOSEPH ZAMMIT
Jun 25th 2010, 19:38
Well done--and thanks!
Removal of the 'oil depot building' enhanced the view of the bastions.
Joseph E Briffa
Jun 25th 2010, 19:37
Well done....
Please choose the reason of your report below: