Outside City Gate: Now and in the future
A photograph of the present view of City Gate taken from the end of the 'Biskuttin' in front of Pheonicia Hotel, as well as an artists' impression prepared by the Renzo Piano's studio of the newly opened view of the City entrance has been published by the Infrastructure Ministry.
The impression gives an idea of the original dramatic effect of approaching Valletta from the landward side according to the original intention of the City's founders and designers, the ministry said.
It said that before placing the Tritons in this new location, at the side garden where the Royal Airforce War Memorial is situated, studies will be conducted on the best way to treat and restore the fountain to its original glory reversing the considerable damage it has suffered over time as a result of pollution as well as the notorious incident when the fountain was unwisely and harmfully used as a performance platform.
The ministry also published a commentary by the architect's studio about the recommendation to move the fountain by less than 50 meters as part of the effort to restore the architectural and historical context of the entrance to the fortified city. It
The Tritons Fountain was first installed in its present location to decorate the bus terminus that is located at the entrance to the city in place of the original fortifications and ramparts that were removed to make way for transport infrastructure. The present bus terminus becomes redundant on July 3.
The following is a commentary by the Renzo Piano Building workshop:
"The Tritons' fountain in front of City Gate can be considered the final touch in a series of Colonial period projects aimed at improving accessibility to and mobility in and around Valletta. These projects, which included the construction of a lift at the Upper Barrakka and the operation of a railway that linked the town with the centre of the island, continued to be maintained and upgraded all throughout the twentieth century. In fact, these are the years that saw the gradual modernization of the islands especially in terms of transportation and communications technologies, an evolution which was an imperative especially in view of the role that Malta played as a military base.
"The military justification for these improvements was accompanied with advancements in transport and communication systems that were put in place for the enjoyment of the civilian population. The introduction of the tramway and, eventually, the bus system, was accompanied by the increased use of the private car and the construction of roads became one of the topmost priorities of several successive governments. The creation of the plaza in front of City Gate, which entailed the burial and partial annihilation of the outer works of the landward fortification system, belongs to this period which also saw the great 'sventramenti' of the old village cores which irrevocably destroyed the authentic context of several of our parish churches.
"The present project for the re-organization of the transport system reverses the Modernist obsession with progress at the expense of preservation. It aims at providing an efficient and comfortable transport system that is sustainable, as invisible as possible, and one that minimizes the deleterious effects of pollution. To this end, the plaza in front of City Gate is being liberated from the scores of buses which hitherto constituted the first impression of Valletta for anyone visiting the town. Needless to say, the superimposition of the Terminus in the early twentieth century took no notice of the conservation needs of the town, and the addition of the Tritons' fountain can be considered, because of its scale and positioning, as the fulcrum of the old Terminus with no connection to the authentic and historic image of the entrance to Valletta.
"Today, the evolution of conservation philosophy and legislation on Malta as well as Valletta's status of World Heritage Site, provide an imperative for the conservation element in the design of the new entrance. The repositioning of the Fountain, while paying tribute to the work of Vincent Apap, one of Malta's foremost sculptors of the Modern Period, will, together with the removal of the buses, free up the vista of the town walls and return the area to its pre-1950s situation. This falls within the general philosophy of the project for the entrance of Valletta which includes the restoration of the sixteenth century bridge spanning the ditch and the reintroduction of the original skyline of the fortification walls.
"The fountain of course has great value as a public art work which will be retained in spite of its repositioning very close to its original location in a garden connected to the new park of pine trees where its green backdrop will complement the watery fantasy of these telamonic sea creatures, part man part fish."
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Ms D Galea
May 1st 2011, 18:14
Did the artist who made that impression actually visit the site?
Where are the goverment flats?
Hurrah for the fortified city without a gate , a theatre without a roof and a parlament on stilts.
Jonathan McBee
May 1st 2011, 02:42
All that empty space simply highlights the hole in the wall where once stood a proper city gate. The trees in that image look threadbare and lost amidst all the emptiness ... What was going through Piano's mind? Couldn't there have been a few benches where people can sit and socialize? A few more bushes, trees to break up all that stone? When the worst of summer hits the island, that is going to look like a big desert. Seriously, it would have been so much easier to allow some kind of garden in that area, and it would be such a relaxing atmosphere.
Ms P Grech
May 1st 2011, 14:47
I totally agree
Mr Henry Mifsud
Apr 30th 2011, 17:55
Removing the fountain and having a vast space just outside Valletta is simply the camouflaging of the truth .... i.e. that such a vast space should have been retained within the walls of the city and not outside. Should the new Piano Parliament building was not erected but rather the horrid apartments block been demolished, we would have ended up with a majestic entrance with a befitting square whilst exposing both St. John's and St. James bastions.
But .... should one accept the removal of the fountain now that common sense did not prevail, isn't it ironic that no car park under such a vast space is even remotely being considered?
Quo Vadis Malta?
Mr Matthew Galea
Apr 30th 2011, 13:08
looking at all that empty space, the fountain really should stay there! it would be a shame to put aside a big fountain (with all the funds involved to move it...) when it will in fact make it look better.
an open space THAT big will only make it look like we don't know how to fill it up. a fountain like that will be VERY pleasant. (i've traveled a lot an i've seen many open areas and something particular in the very middle).
for those that still don't get it and think that the open space is a good idea, go to Google Earth/Maps and find a photo of the city gate entrance area from a plan/top view. imagine how boring it would look!
^ ^ that's my personal opinion. if you don't agree with it, you have every right as long as you don't banish me for my opinion...
Mr Victor Laiviera
Apr 30th 2011, 12:18
There seems to be something misleading in the "artist's impression" - have the flats on the left side suddenly shrunk?
Ms F Goodwin
Apr 30th 2011, 11:20
If it's going to be a pedestrian space, why does it have to be concrete? Why not a garden?
Alfred Falzon
Apr 30th 2011, 08:53
From the look of things, City Gate is to be replaced by a gaping breach in a fortified defensive wall of a city supposedly built "by gentlemen for gentlemen"!
And what about the site once occupied by the "historic" remains of the old Opera House? A theatre, a roofless one for that matter, is to replace it! Will it match its predecessor, especially during winter's inclement weather or under a blazing sun in summer?
Another brilliant idea is to erect a Parliament on stilts. Very well, indeed! It will bear a symbolic meaning
since it will reflect the poor state of affairs in which many of our representatives have found themselves!
And what about the resiting of Apap's Tritons Fountain, by the way designed not by him but by Victor Anastasi whose name seems to have gone into oblivion!
A second trauma awaits it, after Labour's one-time brainwave to allow motorcyclists show their prowess on Republic Day by racing on a scaffolding erected round the Tritons with dire consequences involving a much regretted restructuring exercise!
A unilateral decision to reposition it has been taken, putting all public consultation aside! Yet, even a voice in the desert might still dare make a suggestion for its ideal location before it's not too late: on the square facing Parliament building where some of our MPs would be able to wash their not-so-clean linen in public!
Mr Rob Parnis
Apr 30th 2011, 08:45
Breaking news: archivists in the public library have come across a hitherto undiscovered cache of documents relating to The construction of Valletta in the late 1500s. I have been granted exclusive access to these documents and can report the following extracts:
"what a stupid idea to build a new city, what's wrong with Mdina?"
"what a stupid idea to build a new city, what's wrong with Birgu?"
"what a waste of money"
"I preferred the empty hill, much nicer"
"stupid knights, bring the Turks back"
"stupid knights, bring the Arabs back"
"stupid knights, bring the Phoenicians back"
"stupid knights, look how thick the Walls are"
"bring back the old days of hardship and slavery"
"change is the devil"
Historians are sifting through the rest of the archives and hope to find some interesting commentary on the recent scandal of the parish priests third annulment.
Mr steve c
Apr 30th 2011, 08:44
I'm hoping that their photoshop skills arent so good because if that is what they are aiming at then the gate is going to look very out of place and ugly, its going to be new stone placed near old stone which has very different texture and shade of colour.
If your thinking what can they do about it ? well, theres 3 options i can think of, design the stone to mimic older stone or if its possible to salvage an old building and use the stones from there. If none of those can happen then dont touch the gate! Theres going to be a huge waste of space and a very ugly entrance.
Its embarrassing to have a much nicer entrance in an older capital city (mdina) when valletta is now our capital city. you'd think that we would advance in expertise over time, not fall back.
Mr john vella
Apr 30th 2011, 08:00
Why!
The same building apartment is bigger on one picture and smaller on the other. I know we the people are referred by some 'Gahan Malti' but please do not over do it.
In one picture the building show two storey and in the other one storey. In one the same build is as high as the Knight's tower and in the other it is smaller, there are other things then again what the heck!
Someone told me you see what some people do, to prove their point even distort pictures. SHAME!
Ramon Casha
Apr 30th 2011, 06:43
This project will create such a wide space that the tritons fountain will not obstruct anything. It should be retained within the new open space.
Mr Joe Portelli
Apr 29th 2011, 22:46
Bhas-soltu hafna tgergir meta l-Gvern ikun se jaghmel xi haga ta' fejda. X'nippretendu li jibqa kollox kif inhu ? Tejatru mwaqqa, Bieb-il-Belt ikrah pesta li kemm ilni haj dejjem nisma kemm hu ikrah u issa ghax se jitwaqqa bilkemm ma nghidux li ghandu jithalla, pjazza (Helsien) mill-aktar zdingata, Terminus tal-karrozzi ezatt fid-dahla tal-Belt bil-konfuzzjoni, hmieg u dhaheh li jhallu warajhom tal-linja u hafna aktar. Fl-ahhar hawn xi hadd li ghandu l-guts li jirranga dan kollu bhalma rranga hafna postijiet ohra fil-belt Valletta. Harsu lejn il-Barrakka ta' Fuq u t'isfel, Hastings, Pjazza San Gorg, il-pavimentar ta' hafna toroq fil-belt, il-Waterfront, restawr tas-swar u ta' ghadd ta' bini storiku .....il-lista ma tispicca qatt. Naghti prosit lil Gvern u nittama li jkomplu jitwettqu aktar progetti biex il-Belt tkompli tissebbah.
Mr J Tonna
Apr 29th 2011, 22:36
The Nationalist party in government surely deserve at least another term in office, if anything for the fact they have had the foresight and the ability to plan the future of the Maltese in such and intelligent, progressive and successful fashion.
The economic well-being has been significantly enhanced in sharp contrast to the gloom and doom of the socialist era.
Mr Victor Laiviera
Apr 29th 2011, 22:34
That gash in the fortifications instead of the gate that should be there looks even more horrible when it is exposed in this way.
Truly incredible.
Mr Alfred Grech
Apr 29th 2011, 22:27
On the walls on each side of the beautiful gate they should erect a statue of Gonzi and another one of Piano to remind us of the two glorious men who came up with this majestic gate which consists of nothing.
This will be in the world's book of records for its ugliness.
I predict that in the not too distant future, another much better Gate will be re built to replace the non-gate gate of Valletta.
Nicky Azzopardi
Apr 29th 2011, 22:44
Are you daft enough to claim that a gate should have a gate? what, with metal bars and a padlock? Long live Malta's ignorance.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Apr 30th 2011, 10:52
Ignorance is shown by those who think that a Gity Gate is something such as a breach in the walls of a fortified city. Can you elucidate the readers what you understand by a City Gate?
Do you have a door which you can close or an opening in your house which you call a door?
Mrs j. Mifsud
Apr 30th 2011, 16:13
Do you have a crystal ball?
Jon Agius
Apr 29th 2011, 22:17
Malta is the only country where the only city that is "hmieg" and "mandra" is its capital city
Mr Rob Parnis
Apr 30th 2011, 09:01
travel a lot, do you?
Mr Fabian Borg
Apr 29th 2011, 22:16
:-(
Mr A. Mizzi
Apr 29th 2011, 21:55
What's so ecstatic about an open space? We had one- Freedom Square and it is being replaced by a new Parliament Building at exorbitent costs at the whims of a Prime Minister without foresight who doesn't even have funds to honor pre-electoral pledges like income tax refunds!
Mr J. J. Borg
Apr 29th 2011, 22:12
Freedom Square was a parking lot sandwiched between a ruined theatre and a filthy shopping arcade. With all due respect, this seems to be somewhat different.
Ms Rhonda Balzan Bastow
Apr 30th 2011, 04:25
I like the look of this open space for sure. But I agree with you about Freedon Square - pitty it is notbeing left as open space INSIDE VALLETTA!!
I was wondering why they never considered (or did they) having the new parliment building over in fort st elmo. It would have been more majesztic, more impressive and also reduced rather than increasecd cars and traffic trying to get to parliment in poor, choked Valletta.
It was just a thought...did it come up at all?
RHONDA BALZAN BASTOW
Mr Tony Camilleri
Apr 30th 2011, 10:54
Mr J. J. Borg Freedom Square was the open space where demonstrations ended and because it was called Freedom Square the PN which has never been in favour of freedom saw fit to destroy with its extravagant parliament on stilts. I hope that the new parliament will later be used as a market because the politicians sell their souls to get elected.
Daniela Klein
Apr 29th 2011, 21:26
Not much work here. Just a clean shave and huge wall before the entrace to Valletta. How monstrous. I don't like it. I hope the result looks better than this artist's impression. What are we going to do with that open space? There is absolutely nothing there.
Mr Charles.C. Brown
Apr 29th 2011, 20:47
LOOKS FANTASTIC! BUT DONT FORGET TO DECORATE THE TWO WALLS ON THE SIDES OF THE ENTRANCE WITH MALTESE CROSSES AND THE EMBLEMS OF VALLETTA SIMILAR TO THAT OF PORT DE BOMBS AND I M SURE THAT MANY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE COAT OF ARMS OF MALTA AFTER INDEPENDENCE. SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT WE HAVE NOW BUT WITH TWO SEAHORSES ON EACH SIDE WITH MAYBE A MALTESE CROSS ON THE BACKGROUND. IF THE TWO SIDE WALLS ARE GOING TO REMAIN PLAIN AS IN THE PRESENT CITY GATES IT WILL RUIN THE ENTRANCE.
Mr carlos ellul
Apr 29th 2011, 22:28
I hope that you're right because all I am seeing in that photo is an open space and two holes in a wall. Did we really needed Piano for that?
Mr Jason Xuereb
Apr 29th 2011, 20:46
This picture says it all!! Those NEGATIVE, closed-minded Maltese would shut their mouths in two years, when the project is ready. And anyway, I really admire the Maltese government that finally we have learnt how to ignore these Maltese "gemgem" in order to move on. I am sure that when the project is finalized these same "gemgem" people will accept the project with open arms. They just need to see it in front of their in order for them to feel a bit secure!!
Mr Tony Camilleri
Apr 30th 2011, 10:48
Ignoring people means ARROGANCE Jason, something which has become the trademark of PN Governments.
Mr christine Formosa
Apr 29th 2011, 20:35
very well done ..... i would just remove the 'penthouse' level ..... it competes too much with st. James Cavalier
Joseph Brincat
Apr 29th 2011, 20:25
Stop before it is too late!
Although I have the same name of the person who suggested that the fountain should be moved infront of the openening between the xaqq, I go further and suggest that they clear all other monuments especially those erected by the nationalists because that's what will happen once they are ousted by the greatest majority in the next elections.
Mr Charles.C. Brown
Apr 29th 2011, 21:01
You alraedy got it in the bag!! Well thats what you been saying in the past 24 years and by now you should know that the PN is full of grand surprises!! Besides the MLP veterans do not like the changes that been done to the party , this PL is a new party to us we see the changes of the emblem and the name as an insult to those labourists who suffered to see the party re elected in the 60s now youve got to suffer the result of these changes!!
Kenneth Galea
Apr 29th 2011, 21:35
Again what does this have anything to do with politics and elections. And why are you so certain that the current administration will be outsted in two years time.
As most bloggers comment I have never ever seen so many projects taking place, doing up roads, restoring historical icons etc.
People like you never want to move on, stay indoors and do us a favour, stop this non-sense on here.
What people like you want is a return to the era when the late Lorry Sant was in charge of the roads. Nothing was done because there was no money. The EU is pumping all this money for the benefit of Malta!
Fanatizmu biss, moan and moan and moan. You need someone like Robert Mugabe to put you in the right place.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Apr 30th 2011, 10:57
Kenneth Galea the EU is not pumping money in our economy. We are sending it millions upon millions and it is sending us some of it back with all strings attached.
Mr Joseph Brincat
Apr 29th 2011, 19:55
I THINK IT WILL BE BETTER TO MOVE THE FOUNTAIN
IN FRONT OF THE OPEN WALL OF THE CITY GATE !!!!
Mr Tony Camilleri
Apr 30th 2011, 10:58
Grandeur is not when you make a huge gash in the walls of a fortified city, build a parliament on stilts and a roofless theatre. La Valette is turning in his grave at the destruction being carried out by the Gonzi-Piano duo on Valletta.
Mr J Tonna
Apr 29th 2011, 19:33
A very good idea no doubt.
Thanks to this Government for the capability to get the financial help from the EU and the wisdom to improve and restore the historical granduer of these islands.
Never in the history of Malta has so much investment been made in the general infrastructure in such a short time not even at the times of the Knights.
Deo Catania
Apr 29th 2011, 20:03
x'ghandhom x'jaqsmu l-kavallieri issa? insomma li ma kienx ghalihom ma kienitx tkun tezisti l-belt Valletta u ma kienx ikollu fejn jahlilna flusna gonzipn, ghax jahli l-flus qieghed.
Mr Alfred Grech
Apr 29th 2011, 22:29
Never in the history of Malta so much money has been spent to uglify our city.
Nicky Azzopardi
Apr 29th 2011, 22:47
Mr. Alfred Grech what do you suggest? We stick to the dump there is now? Tell me exactly how it going to get uglier? If u succeed in giving me a reasonable explanation how it could get worse, I will write an article on the Times to praise you.
Mr M Mamo
Apr 29th 2011, 19:27
In my opinion this is a good move for the tritons fountain ... it became a meeting place in the last few years and people sitting on it, throwing all sorts of rubbish into it etc... made it a disgrace. This not to mention that when it was windy, the water rush splashed on the people entering the city, and considering that the water is very clean ... Maybe the place where it is to be put is not ideal because of the space available but surely a good move to give this monument the dignity and artistic pleasure it deserves. I also agree with leaving the space opposite the City as a pedestrian zone because nobody wants to see the dust, smoke and blackness created by buses and cars anymore.
Clive Bonavia
Apr 29th 2011, 19:09
I fully agree with the re-positioning of the Tritons fountain. The creation of the open space would highlight the magnificant bastions etc etc
However I think that the place to where the fountain is going to be relocated is a bit small for the fountain ...... obviously we did not see any plans or artistic impressions of how it is going to be set
Definetly it needs one hell of a restoration project as it is in a bad state .... possibly restoring it to the original deslign without the middle support.
do not agree with the mayor's suggestion to place a monument of La Vallette ..... we have the whole capital city which is one big rich monument already dedicated to him
Charles Sammut
Apr 29th 2011, 19:07
Oh golly! They will be knocking off a storey off the social housing monstrosity to the left of Fethet il-Belt. And the forest of TV aerials is also gone. But alas, this is just an artist's impression. Meant to make the scar less unsightly and more palatable to us who are paying some €100,000,000 for a hole in the wall, the rehashing of what is already a roofless theatre and a new playroom for those MPs who bother to attend.
I am sure that most people would have preferred to have that money spent on something they use every day, like decent roads.
John Grech
Apr 29th 2011, 18:44
The large open space in front of the main gate highlights the imposing bastions that we have in Valletta and of which we should all be proud. Although I am very skeptical of the open air theater, I find this minimalist design to the entry of our capital city to be very significant... you are entering the heart of the Maltese Islands. Well done, and hope to see the project finished soon.
Charlie Borg
Apr 29th 2011, 19:03
'Entering the heart of the Maltese islands'.
Indeed.
Have you ever walked along the streets of Valletta at any time of the day and night? Have you met the rancid and awful atmosphere and the ugliness and negativity in the streets? I don't think I should elaborate.
Nicky Azzopardi
Apr 29th 2011, 18:43
I must say, the works in Valletta are amongst the most positive we have seen in years. Works are being carried out very quickly, and the setting is bound to make Valletta one of the top cities in the world again. Shame on whoever is mocking this project.
This morning as I walked on the new pavement from Phoenicia to City Gate I was impressed at all the space and beauty we forgot we even have, it was like walking into a new, brilliantly maintained city.
Charlie Borg
Apr 29th 2011, 19:04
'Make Valletta one of the top cities in the world again'.
Ehm.... Mr Azzopardi, are you for real? Or else, have you been around?
Nicky Azzopardi
Apr 29th 2011, 19:16
I am for real yes. I have been to foreign cities, and each prides itself with a few iconic buildings, but Valletta boasts tens of these. Its history alone diminishes other European cities, let alone the palaces and buildings.
Do yourself a favour and come out of your shell. Don't attempt to ridicule people with rhetorical questions because when answered you will be made to look plain stupid.
Mr J. J. Borg
Apr 29th 2011, 19:54
Charlie Borg: I have been to many cities around the world and all of them have their pleasant and less pleasant areas. I have yet to travel to Utopia but maybe you have and can illuminate us in that regard.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Apr 30th 2011, 11:05
Nicky Azzopardi do you mean the gash in the walls of a fortified city, the parliament on stilts and the roofless theatre?