Will fountain’s move sink the Tritons?
‘Like moving the lions in Trafalgar Square’
News that a Valletta landmark, the Tritons Fountain outside City Gate, is to be moved provoked mixed reactions yesterday with some organisations welcoming the idea but several people rubbishing the plan.
The area around what is now a grubby bus terminus will receive a €4 million facelift over the next few months to become a tree-lined, pedestrian-only zone, without Vincent Apap’s iconic fountain.
The fountain will be restored and moved a few metres away, next door to the MCP car park in the garden of the Air Force monument.
A further €500,000 will be spent to change the look of the façade of the government flats in Freedom Square opposite the site of the new Parliament. New wooden balconies and the original railings will replace the present stone balconies and balustrades.
Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt said the €4.5 million being spent to upgrade the area outside City Gate was over and above the €80 million being spent on the Renzo Piano project.
The idea presented yesterday is to create an open space, paved with hard stone complementing the new city entrance. A car park with space for 55 vehicles would also be created to one side.
The severe reaction online was not long in coming. “One man’s vision has been imposed on the nation,” wrote a Sean Grima, barely a few minutes after the story appeared online, presumably referring to Renzo Piano, the world-famous Italian architect responsible for revamping City Gate and building the new Parliament building and an open-air theatre on the Old Opera House ruins.
What followed built on these lines, reminiscent of the criticism of the open-air theatre. There were some who welcomed the idea but the feedback online was mostly negative.
Not so, however, from Din l-Art Ħelwa President Simone Mizzi. “I think the move, which is part of the Valletta embellishment project, is a positive one as it would better expose the entrance to Valletta and not cause a visual impairment. Regenerating the outside, not just the inside of Valletta, thus letting the bastions reign supreme, would be a big plus for Valletta,” she said.
Removing the fountain from where it stands might also expose the original counterguards of Valletta, which lie below the area, at the level of the moat, she said.
The change would also be good for the fountain which would no longer be exposed to further carbon dioxide. “It is in need of restoration after years of exposure to environmental hazards. When moved to its new allocated place it will not suffer further damage.” Ceramist Gabriel Caruana also welcomed the idea, even though in principle he does not believe monuments should be moved.
“The project (rebuilding City Gate) is a large and important one and once the entrance to Valletta is changing and moving then it should move too,” he said. Shifting the fountain towards the Phoenicia Hotel would create an open space in front of the entrance and it would not clash with other monuments.
The concept of an open space also appealed to Valletta mayor Alexei Dingli. He said it would actually elevate the fountain rather than demote it since it would not be used as a roundabout anymore. He actually went one step further, suggesting that a statue of Grand Master Jean de Valette should be considered in its stead.
Among the detractors online was painter and columnist Kenneth Zammit Tabona, who argued it was disrespectful to move such an iconic monument that had been designed by a modern Maltese artist to be erected in front of City Gate.
“It is unacceptable that instead of being respected as one of the most impressive Maltese and large bronze works of art, it’s being shifted to the side. It is absolute rubbish that it is being moved to clear the area of any visual impairment, as you can see the bastions from anywhere! The bastions are a defensive wall, not a work of art,” he said.
Mr Zammit Tabona, who had also voiced his criticism of the open-air design for the new theatre, stressed the role the monument plays in the collective memory.
“It has been there for years throughout all our childhood. It is bad enough that the Opera House ruins have not been replaced. What else are they going to remove? Shifting it would be like moving the lions in Trafalgar Square. Maltese people are proud of this monument, and the terrible state it is in is a shame on its own.”
He too, however, made a suggestion, arguing that the fountain could replace the War Memorial down the road, an obelisk, which could be shifted to where the Triton Fountain is being moved – in this way the fountain would maintain its dignity in front of Valletta.
The project announced yesterday complements the new €3.3 million bus terminus being built at St James Ditch and which is expected to be finished by July 3, when the new public transport operator takes over the bus service.
Dr Gatt said access to Valletta from the present terminus would be closed for two to three weeks. Shuttle minivans will provide transport around to Castille.
The City Gate project itself reaches another milestone next week when the demolition of the actual gate gets underway.
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Ms Lucia Davies
May 2nd 2011, 23:13
Oh by the way an Ideal Place for the La Vallette statue would ve somewhere near Castille close to were the first stone was laid, and inside Valleta itself , But that is only my opinion of course, or it would have een really nice in St Georges square
Joan Nelson
May 1st 2011, 17:26
Elaine Compagno's suggestion of the Triton being moved to St. Georges's square is quite a good one if we were given the opportunity to design how best to refurbish our own beloved city of Valletta. The Triton vs the simplistic, cheap version that offers little more then entertainment for children. If our Politicians took the time to ask our own architects, artists and public how best to go about it we could have come up with many loving ideas to put into one big project for Valletta for ourselves instead of this mutilation by a detached Piano. The Statue of La Vallette is also a favourite idea which makes sense and St. George's Square would also be a good place for it. Did Piano ever contemplate on the Maltese sentiment before he threw his grand plans out there? I doubt it very much because his undeserving success has rendered him arrogant with his decisions. They automatically are gulped down by similarly arrogant politicians. They have lost my vote.
Ms P Grech
May 1st 2011, 15:13
I totally agree with the bus terminus being moved to another area, and maybe also with the City Gate being replaced, but if The Tritons Fountain is removed, I believe that the whole area is going to look bare and deserted - a secluded area. I think that if they had to refurbish the fountain (and keep it clean), do street tiling ,include benches for people to sit and also add adequate lighting to the area nad maybe a small cafeteria, rather than the bareness that is planned, it should look better ..and least it sounds better to me.
Elaine Compagno
May 1st 2011, 10:43
I really like the idea of a Jean De La Valette statue. All through my childhood I always wondered why there was no statue in Valletta of the famous man who started it all.
The triton fountain could have been moved when they fixed up Pjazza San Gorg. They could have used the same bronze monument and built a newer fountain around it.
Mr Franco Davies
May 1st 2011, 10:42
La Vallette's monument shouldnt be placed on Valletta's borders, in neighbouring Floriana (which already has monuments of founding Grand Master and architect, de Vilhena and Floriani)....
It should find its grand place within his City, not outside it.....
and also, I don't think Mr Piano would like us putting up monuments in the middle of his grand design...
The subject of a monument to La Vallette (who is a national hero) is a delicate and national issue and shouldnt be taken frivolously and parrochially.
Ms G Portelli
Apr 30th 2011, 20:57
Renzo Piano claims that the Valletta project is about civic pride However it is turning out to be an assault on the collective Maltese conscience.
Really a statue of La Valette indeed!! A tragedy in the making rather, wrought by aesthetically and creatively challenged political philistines! What is so shameful about Apap's fountain? Why does it need to be squashed into a minute space, hedged in by a screen of trees? This is an ill thought action that will aesthetically devalue two other iconic monuments that of Christ the King and the RAF memorial. Apap is a highly relevant Maltese visual artist who should not be demeaned so. The sad belittling of Maltese icons is now frankly insulting, the cultural collective conscience is evidently of little importance to these less than visionary decision makers. Maltese art it appears has no legitimate place in front of the Maltese capital. Is there no cultural relevance ascribed to this iconic art work from the late fifties? I must say I am deeply disappointed by the statement of Din L-art Helwa's president which show both a disregard for Maltese visual art and a lack of concern for the belittling of two other iconic monuments . Shame!
Mr B. Fenech
Apr 30th 2011, 16:12
I rather liked the idea of a statue of La Valette to be placed somewhere at the entrance..rather fitting in my opinion.
John A. Gauci
Apr 30th 2011, 21:20
In a way I think Mr. B. Fenech is right. After all it was Grand Master La Valette who builded Valletta. But please the fountain should be left where it is now. In other places such as Zabbar ,Zebbug and Qormi there are statues or buildings named after their respective builder.
Mr Joe Gatt
Apr 30th 2011, 15:18
This Triton Fountain is blocking the entrance to our historic City, some are saying.
I suggest that it is moved to Luqa, and replaced by that Slim monument/Work of art instead, so as not to disturb the views.
Victor Pulis
Apr 30th 2011, 08:56
The main reason why the fountain is being moved s to give a clear view of the breach in the city's bastions. Talk about big headedness on the part of Piano and pig headedness on the prt of the government.
Mr Joe Gatt
May 1st 2011, 02:22
Malta Film Facilities, could have manufactured a fibreglass replica of the old gate in no time, at fraction of costs.
Bus depot should have been sited at the MCP, roofed over of course, plus garden on top. Access could have been thru old railway tunnel next to the gate at `Bombi`. with moving walkways similar to those at International Airports, leading to the proposed park and ride ,sites, thus drastically reducing traffic thru Floriana, which then becomes mainly a pedestrian zone.
Freedom square site should have been embellished, with a subterranean parliament beneath
Andrew Hili
Apr 30th 2011, 02:16
I never cease to be amazed by this whole Piano project!!!! What amazes me even more is the fact that the authorities, as usual, are oblivious of the fact that Piano is completely screwing up our beloved valletta with stupid modern ideas for which he is getting top dollars. I'm sure locals would have fared much better in suitable ideas for Valletta!
First it was the old theatre, then the new parliament building, then city gate and now it's the Triton fountain, apart from all the wasted millions, when is all this blasphemy going to stop???
Mela tajjeb, for a triviality like divorce, a referendum is to be executed, but for something as important to all Maltese as this project wasn't subjected to a referendum!!!!
Piano has been criticised by other countries for his screw ups, yet we all turn a blind eye to this and plunge on!
Have we not the guts to stop him from messing up things further???
Mr B. Fenech
Apr 30th 2011, 16:10
Times Change..it is useless living in the past. Architecture changes too, you just have to be ready embrace what change brings.
Mr Patrick Zammit
Apr 29th 2011, 23:49
Stop playing chess with our monuments!
John A. Gauci
Apr 29th 2011, 22:11
Personally I think that the directors of the Phenicia Hotel will not be happy at all with the placing of the fountain just infront of the main enterance of their hotel. I am sure that youths will gather around the fountain(as they are used to do) and will be of great disturbance to the hotel residence.
Lawrence Civelli
Apr 29th 2011, 21:10
As much as I hate to see the Tritons moved,I;m glad that it is moving ,because everytime I pass by the fountain,its a disgrace,its always full of garbage,people are slobs whenever they finish a sandwitch or soda,it always end up in the water, mostly young tourists having lunch,I always visit in the summer months,cant say if this happens in winter too.
By the way a replica or something similar of the old gate would have been more appropriate for a grand old city like Valletta,just my humble opinion,but who am I to criticise mr Piano and his famous " Slit "
Joan Nelson
Apr 29th 2011, 19:47
As for cleaning up the front of the entrance to Valletta - much as it will be environmentally healthier to move the buses away from the Triton - It would not take much to remove the kiosks and stick to some new rules and regulations to keep the entrance clean instead of this free for all where we will later see them move themselves to some new location and repeat the mess elsewhere.
Joan Nelson
Apr 29th 2011, 19:27
Piano, a foreign artist himself, is flying high with undeserved recognition aimed at throwing in his ultra modern eyesores amidst old historic cities around Europe; and to have the nerve and the cheek to unashamedly shove another local artist's well loved icon aside to expose his own. This is a true sign of a shallow and unforgiving character. He has imposed and will continue to impose his architecture where it does not fit and our own politicians allow themselves to blindly accept his intentions just because others have hailed his questionable works. They need to revisit "The Emperor's New Clothes" before they find that such the Grand Valletta Project was not necessarily in the benefit of our public, but to benefit his own grand ego. The not so arrogant thing our politicians could have done was to call a referendum or at the very least use our own artists and architects to create a more lovingly assembled project for ourselves.
John A. Gauci
Apr 29th 2011, 18:16
I do not agree that the Trintons fountain is moved from its' present place. Who's idea was it? I do not remember that when the Enzo Piano was shown in the National Museum there was an indication that this fountain was to be moved from its present place. If this fountain is left where it is now, there still be enough space for the public.
Victor Pulis
Apr 29th 2011, 17:37
It is crystal clear that these decisions are being taken arbitrarily. No sane or artistic person would place such a massive structure next to a slim column such as the air force monument. Incidentally this space is the closest one to the fountain. The fountain is being displaced and dumped in this space to get it out of the way. Clearly whoever took this decision is aestetically challenged and has no idea or respect for art.
Mr G Psaila
Apr 29th 2011, 17:37
Move it to Castille Square if it has to be moved at all...or best, leave it untouched
Mrs diana cottis
Apr 29th 2011, 17:16
It is sad that one of the most fantastic views of Malta will be lost if the Tritons fountain is moved. As I head up Republic street to the bus station in the evening I look forward to seeing the fountain lit up and framed by City Gate. Surely Renzo Piano had this vista in mind when he opted for a gap in the bastions. Such a world class piece of art deserves a location to match and I was hoping it would finally get it. Surely all architects, artists and designers consider the importance of vistas, space and location? Or are we really going to push it up against the RAF monument to make room for more car parks? And what is happening to the MCP car park - I notice the plans don't show that?
Victor Pulis
Apr 29th 2011, 16:34
So we dump aside a fountain made by one of our illustrious artists so that we may get an unobstructed view of a...what? a breach in our capital city's bastions by a foreign architect. It wouldn't have been so ridiculous had there been at least something to admire.
Marco Meli
Apr 29th 2011, 14:46
Not to be a gemgem but did we really need to spend millions and millions to upgrade when the economy is in such a bad state!? I am only using my common sense ta! nothing ta barra min ghaw!!!!!!
Kenneth Galea
Apr 29th 2011, 22:56
I do not think you are using your common sense at all. Get real! Do you really believe that Malta's economy is on par with that of Greece or Portugal or even Spain? In any event this grand project is generating scores of jobs and the EU is funding it.
If you think the economy is in such a bad state in Malta, do us a favour and leave th island and settle for Greece.
Marco Meli
Apr 30th 2011, 12:00
Yes mr galea, i realy do believe that the economy is on par with that of greece , portugal and spain! An old maltese saying says ' thott bla ma trodt, is-swar thott". As regarding the EU funding this project (if you may call it a project after all) I have my doubts! Continue defending your goverment mr galea, you only have 2 yrs left! cheers
Mr Jason Xuereb
Apr 29th 2011, 13:27
Usual negative comments by Maltese "gemgem"!! Can't you all realize that the triton's fountain is to be moved to create a straight line starting from "Christ the king" outside Phoenicia hotel right into all of Republic street down to Southern Valletta?. Isn't there something positive for you in this ingenious project?? You should all thank Renzo Piano for saving and changing Valletta's face, especially those horrendous "gabbanas" outside the city gate created by some silly Maltese people!! Just sound positive and open- minded for once!!
Mr george attard
Apr 29th 2011, 14:26
let us all HAIL piano and co.
Victor Pulis
Apr 29th 2011, 16:35
Renzo Piano would be insulted by your comment that it had to be him for us to get rid of the gabbanas!!
Talk about being open minded!
Rene Attard
Apr 29th 2011, 16:37
But why should a new line be created when the fountain is the end of another that has been there since the Knights built the Mall? Why change what is good? Why fix what's not broken?
Mr Jo Camm
Apr 29th 2011, 11:49
We have got use to certain names, always criticising whatever the Government proposes. Don't they feel that they are being funny?
John A. Gauci
Apr 30th 2011, 00:42
With reference to Mr. Jo Camm comment----- I would like to point out that one form of 'being funny' is that one does not accept criticism ! In a county like ours----every one has the right to express his/her opinion, whether he/she voted for the party in Government or not.
Mr Mark Sciberras
Apr 29th 2011, 11:40
This articles seems to imply that the comments submitted in its commentary section reflect the general attitude of the public. This is very far from being the case. And frankly, looking at the crass ignorance on splendid display day after day, not to mention a truly pathetic and widespread inclination to denigrate everything (the 'Only in Malta' brigade.......) I am hugely glad about that....
Mr Jonathan Agius
Apr 29th 2011, 10:53
I barley not agree on moving the triton's fountain!
Deo Catania
Apr 29th 2011, 10:07
"The concept of an open space also appealed to Valletta mayor Alexei Dingli. He said it would actually elevate the fountain rather than demote it since it would not be used as a roundabout anymore. He actually went one step further, suggesting that a statue of Grand Master Jean de Valette should be considered in its stead."......so if "The area around what is now a grubby bus terminus will receive a €4 million facelift over the next few months to become a tree-lined, pedestrian-only zone" how can the fountain be used as a roundabout (assuming it won't be moved)? anyone dare explain pls?
Victor Pulis
Apr 29th 2011, 16:38
Oh so a statue of Valletta's founder would make a great round about would it?
Mr A. Mizzi
Apr 29th 2011, 10:02
After Monuments on wheels now we have fountains on wheels!
http://mt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sette_Giugno
http://www.vallettaalive.com/news/Sette%20Giugno%20monument%20will%20not%20return%20to%20Palace%20Square.pdf
Mr Victor Laiviera
Apr 29th 2011, 09:49
In Paris, the Arc de Triomphe is going to be moved to one side to make way for a Roofless Theater designed by Renzo Piano
Mr Patrick Zammit
Apr 29th 2011, 09:46
The fountain does need refurbishment but it does not need to be moved.
Mr Philip Grech
Apr 29th 2011, 09:33
"The change would also be good for the fountain which would no longer be exposed to further carbon dioxide." I see, so CO2 does not cross the road to Floriana! Let's tell the climate change scientists about that!
But seriously, has anyone looked at the juxtaposition of the proposed fountain site and the RAF memorial? Also, what about the fortification archaeology under the site? I remember MEPA stopping a reservoir project there for months in the past on those grounds. But I suppose this project has already thus been promulgated as a Government policy, so it amends the local plan, structure plan and the unhatched strategic plan.
What will Din l-Art Helwa say about it now? Also, what about the car parking near the existing toilet site? Is that truly necessary?
Mr Conrad Thake
Apr 29th 2011, 10:35
The new placement of the Tritons fountain will have an adverse visual impact on the RAF memorial.
The imposing and monumental scale of the Tritons fountain was originally concieved as a landmark along the main central axis of Valletta from City Gate to St Elmo. I fear that it will be misfit in its new location. The solitary presence of the RAF memorial (its setting albeit compromised by the public car park) will be lost. Its displacement also poses a logistical challenge.
That said it would be intriguing to try to expose the original foundations of the ravelin
The projected car-park marked E is also totally out of place. It is should be replaced by the trees as per its mirror image counterpart H. But I strongly suspect it is parking for the privileged few and would be retained in spite of all objections.
Mr J Galea
Apr 29th 2011, 09:28
Regarding the removal of city gate bridge and the routing of traffic through half a dozen narrow city roads, why wasn't one line of parking bays in Old Bakery Street removed and traffic allowed to flow in two directions in the stretch from its intersection with St Mark Street to the Hastings area? alternatively, why weren't Old Mint and Old Bakery Streets made one-way streets going in opposite directions? I imagine chaos come May 2. I suggest the bridge is not burned before a trial run of the new traffic arrangements takes place. Has TM considered this practical solution?
Mr W Cassar
Apr 29th 2011, 11:46
Spot on!
Christopher Pollard
Apr 29th 2011, 09:21
55 car parking spaces? Who will these be for I wonder? It's very handy for the new Parliament building.
Mr Victor Laiviera
Apr 29th 2011, 08:55
Din l-Art Ħelwa has become the government's docile puppy, yapping to order.
How sad.
Mr John Apap
Apr 29th 2011, 22:19
Well said Mr Laiviera. I would never presume to give my wife advice on which body cream to use, so why should advice be given by somebody who has no clue. I always say 'horses for courses'