A redemption for two forts?

The sorry tale of the two forts of St Elmo and St Angelo will perhaps meet with redemption. We understand that European funding will be available for the two magnificent icons of Maltese military architecture so that Din l-Art Ħelwa’s long-awaited call to action to save them from the abandon of decades can be addressed.

Earlier this spring, when the brief for the development of St Elmo was put up for discussion, DLĦ submitted its views to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. The results of Mepa’s findings from the many opinions submitted will surely be presented to the public when the debate on St Elmo is held.

The brief conveyed that it is unavoidable after years of neglect to take a multi-use approach if viable means are to be found to reinstate the fort’s dignity through restoration and through adaptation to sustainable modern use.

While DLĦ comprehends the necessity of a multi-use approach, our organisation cautions about the style and scope that will be embraced for the many activities that will occupy the various sections of the fort, lest these detract from its intrinsic military nature and overshadow its architecture with clutter. It remains imperative, while the overall plan for the fort is being concluded, that uniformity and simplicity are adopted for the materials and style chosen when planning conversions, interiors, services and signage. The complete effect must enhance the fort’s austere, military features and not dominate them. Sensitivity to the purpose for which it was built must underpin the whole vision for the fort.

To this end, DLĦ suggests that the fort’s assets are not contracted out in an ad hoc fashion but that the overall plan be established before allocations of space be made.

DLĦ is in favour of giving Heritage Malta a wider scope for its War Museum but the government must also grant sufficient resources to the state agency to render it an all-embracing Museum of War for Malta.

We also favour use of space for educational purposes such as Mediterranean studies with sensitively planned student or visitor accommodation.

Indoor sports, recreational facilities and a gym, as there are none in Valletta, could be considered. We are in favour of retaining the Evans Building, with better use being made of its internal spaces such as these just mentioned.

We would definitely encourage revealing the original ditch that was lost with the cumbersome structure of the ring road, as is recommended by architect Ray Demicoli, and the rerouting of traffic to allow a pedestrian zone in front of the fort and granaries. Parking, or park-and-ride issues, as is the case for the whole Valletta peninsula, certainly need to be addressed.

It is a given fact that development of the fort and the spaces close to it, such as the Evans Building, the examination centre, will undoubtedly be instrumental in bringing regeneration to lower Valletta. We do, however, recommend that any plans also embrace the proposed upgrade of the Sacra Infermeria, which is not mentioned in the development brief of the whole area. Cultural activities in both complexes must be coordinated while any conversion of the examinations building must be sensitive to its historic value.

We remain strongly opposed to public buildings being sold or leased on excessively long leases. This does not offer long-term sustainability whether for the Evans area or for individual sections of the fort. We are also against the creation of new residential spaces when there are still so many empty buildings lying in decay that can be restored for such purpose in our capital city. We also strongly feel there should not be any introduction of new architecture into the fort. It contains so many structures needing attention that investment should be focused on what exists. New structures, no matter how sensitively they may be incorporated, will inevitably compete with the military essence of St Elmo. Any adaptation to modern use must be done with utmost caution so all interventions remain reversible.

We also hope that the numerous wells and reservoirs within the fort can be reinstated, thus water may be rerouted to the ditch where a herbarium of medicinal plants, present in the time of the Order of St John, is planned.

Looking ahead, a safe walkway to the bathing area on the foreshore near the Abercrombie Curtain needs to be factored in. Inevitably, visitors will be lured by the beautiful stretch of water below the fort.

DLĦ concludes that the investment being made is in the interest of Fort St Elmo and to have its restoration completed for Valletta as the 2018 Capital of Culture is paramount. Following the detailed research done by those entrusted to manage the project, sensitivity of execution remains the fundamental key to its success.

Ms Mizzi is executive president of Din l-Art Ħelwa.