Kurt Sansone
Fort St Angelo restoration carries €10 million price tag
‘Initial works have yielded various interesting finds’
A coat of arms found in the debris excavated from around the outside ramp and which was probably dumped there after the fort took a direct hit in World War II. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Heritage Malta wants to tap €10 million in EU funds to restore Fort St Angelo in Vittoriosa and turn the historic jewel into a heritage and cultural experience.
The heritage agency has prepared plans to upgrade various parts of the fort, retaining all the structures that pre-date 1979, when it was last used by the British navy.
The price tag is, however, an initial estimate because the final bill depends on what work is carried out once excavations start.
The majestic beauty of the fort from the outside, however, belies the state of degradation it is in with parts being in serious risk of collapse.
Sitting ominously at the tip of the Vittoriosa peninsula with the best vantage points over Grand Harbour, Fort St Angelo was described by Tourism Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco as one of Malta’s iconic symbols. He was speaking at the end of a media tour of works being carried out by Heritage Malta.
The government voted €1.5 million in this year’s Budget for emergency repair works to the outside ramp, main entrance and the De Guiral battery, which are in a pitiful state.
The British had rebuilt the main entrance using iron beams after it sustained a direct hit in World War II. The beams are all rusted and have caused deep cracks in the walls. These will now be removed and the two stone vaults will be built to restore the entrance.
Exploratory archaeological works have already started and emergency interventions are expected to begin in October.
The initial works have already yielded some interesting finds according to architect Ruben Abela, who is heading Heritage Malta’s works. The debris from World War II and which was used to buffer the outside ramp has already been removed and important remains such as coat of arms have been found.
The emergency works also include the removal of a swimming pool, built on the ramparts in the early 1980s, and a water tower. Mr Abela said the earth beneath the pool could hold some interesting information dating back to mediaval times and would require careful excavation.
He said the 1979 cut off was established because it was the last date when the fort was used as a military base by the British. Interventions by the British were also part of the fort’s history such as the tunnels dug beneath the fort at the start of the war so that the military could transfer underground all above ground operations during air raids.
Mr Abela explained that some pre-1979 structures might be removed if the fort’s archaeological value was increased by such interventions.
Dr de Marco said Heritage Malta was in talks with the Order of the Knights of St John and the Cottonera Waterfront Group, both of which occupied parts of the fort, to encourage cooperation and a single vision for the whole fort.
Restoration works students from the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, who are doing their apprenticeship with Heritage Malta, form part of the team carrying out the works.
Tonnes of debris have already been removed from various areas of the fort, including remains of fireworks that used to be let off from the top part of the fortification for the feast of St Lawrence.
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Peter B Lloyd
Oct 10th 2010, 17:01
Unfortunately this new-found interest in Fort St Angelo is too late for the 1903 desalination plant, the interior of which was destroyed by the Cottonera Waterfront Group (CWG) to make a leisure facility for owners of super-yachts. CWG: "The interiors have suffered heavily due to lack of protection from the marine climate and ingress of rainwater. The entire building will be restored with the interior converted into three floors accommodating the club house and facilities." But it was not the '"entire building" that was preserved, merely the outer shell. All the structures and apparatus inside were scrapped. Even the tall architectural space inside, with its high arches, was lost. CWG are also doing extensive work inside the Knights' fort itself, with a similar policy, but there has been no public access for three years, since the tunnels were sealed up. Anything from the British occupation of the fort (not just post-1979) is regarded as fair game to be obliterated; we can only hope that at least the knight's' handiwork is respected. But preservation does not mean access: Lupanara restaurant was built on the Menqa side without damaging the tunnels but hides one of the knights' store rooms.
D Xuereb
Sep 4th 2010, 18:08
I hope some thought is given to what might still remain there from the time before 'Sant Angelo was built. I believe that a Temple to Juno once existed there.
Joe Diacono
Sep 4th 2010, 17:10
Finally, only hope that we are not too late. This is a unique monument with such a long history.
Hopefully the use that will be made of this building will be made to enhanse the whole property. Let us learn from our past mistakes ( Hotel, night club etc.....) Fort St. Angelo deserves so much more than that.
A heritage trail can easily be created in the area, but that's for the future.
The most important is to now save this jewel with prompt action . It's also hartening to see
The Knights who are partial guardians of this jewel will also be involved.
l fenech
Sep 4th 2010, 17:07
Imissna nisthu, kellu ikun barrani biex ma isix ir-restaur tat-teatru mill-gdid il-bqijja il-maltin qed jirriestawraw il-munumenti u postijiet ohra li kienu qed jaqu'. Flus mohlija fuq il-parliament meta il-belt jew barra mill-belt hemm salt bini li jista jintuza ghal-dan l-iskop, u dan kollu ghal-55 ruh jekk ghandhom wahda.
Edward J Schranz
Sep 4th 2010, 16:48
Fort St Angelo's significance to the Grand Harbour, Valletta and the Three Cities, is more than what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris and France for example, an indelible "Trade Mark", in my opinion. It's preservation is of the utmost importance. Besides being a majestic structure (form follows function) set in an environment of walled cities, it contributed to the defense of the island following the fall of Rhodes, with the result of keeping Christianity in Europe according to various analysts instead of being overrun through the straits of Gibraltar or the East. History seems to be repeating itself these days from the way current events are unfolding both in Europe and also on this side of the ocean. All humans are one family and I'm not glorifying the past. Also the Knights' naval power based at Fort St Angelo kept the Dutch and English navies at bay for some time. These latter never ventured out past Algiers while the Knights were in power during this period. Concluding, this edifice has military/naval, political, religious and strategic geographical importance attached to it, the way I see it. I left Malta some 46 years ago. Your comments are welcome.
Charles Falzon
Sep 4th 2010, 16:29
Mr C.Zarb. Well said.
c. camilleri
Sep 4th 2010, 15:56
Are there no structural funds from the EU to save such a beautiful building.?
R.Borg
Sep 4th 2010, 10:07
"Fort St Angelo restoration carries 10 million euro price tag".
Many do not doubt it.
The money will be found.
Fort St Angelo is a European Heritage if not a world one.
Fort St Elmo can temporarily wait. It's moment will come.
CZARB
Sep 4th 2010, 12:01
Id rather see the progett tal Bieb l Belt minghajr bieb wait rather then St Angelo/St Elmo
wally vella-zarb
Sep 4th 2010, 15:43
It is all a matter of priorities. Government seems to be of the opinion that it is vitally more important to have a parliament-on-stilts at a cost of more than €1,000,000 per seat.....