Restoration works unearth old cannon balls

More than 100 old cannon balls, probably dating back to the time of the British, were unearthed at the Saluting Battery beneath the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta, during restoration works.

The cannon balls, made of hard stone, measure between six and 13 inches. They were uncovered during reconstruction works on the battery and were removed by heritage organisation Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna for safekeeping.

The NGO, which manages the battery, said the cannon balls would be placed on display after cleaning and treatment.

Extensive works are being done on the battery and the war rooms to waterproof them after these were flooded with rainwater.

Eight cannons, which used to be fired at noon every day, were temporarily removed from the battery a few days ago. But to keep up with the midday firing tradition, the eighth cannon was placed in the upper tier of the gardens where it is fired every day until the works are completed in April.

The restoration works are being carried out by the Resources and Rural Affairs Ministry and is partly funded by the planning authority’s environment initiatives fund.