Restoration works deserving of honours

Some of the restoration works going on in Valletta and beyond leave me speechless.

If the Maltese thought that Valletta was impressive, they should see it now, the artistic restoration exposing surprise after surprise.

At the moment, my favourite is Biagio Steps. I pass by it six times a day and every time I have to stop and try to imagine its function centuries ago. Then, resting at the foot of Santu Rokku bastion, I look across the harbour towards Manoel Island and am bedazzled by Fort Manoel.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority supervises all these works. They should present a “Recognition of Excellence Award” for restoration and I nominate Fort Manoel to be the first on the list. Also deserving of awards though would be the works where some private houses are being restored to a state beyond beautiful.