Triton Fountain will not be moved
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
The Triton Fountain is going to be incorporated into the new designs for the open space leading to Valletta, which architect Renzo Piano was asked to revisit.
Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt told a news conference this morning that studies on the fountain revealed the need for major restoration work which will take 18 months to two years.
The plan is to incorporate the fountain into the project which will see the 12,000 square metres of open space covered with hardstone. Eighteen balconies on the facade of the housing estate opposite Parliament will be replaced with the original awnings that were used in the past being reinstalled while the balustrades will be replaced with iron railings.
The minister said that a Mepa permit had been applied for and work would start once this was issued to hopefully conclude the project at the same time as Parliament and the theatre. This project is expected to cost €5 million.
The Triton Fountain was commissioned in 1953 and work started on it in 1955. It was used for the first time on May 16, 1959 and has never been officially inaugurated.
The fountain was designed by sculptor Vincent Apap while Victor Anastasi worked on the technical layout.
Expert Kenneth Cauchi explained that the base of the fountain is hollow and includes three underground chambers.
A study on it revealed several damages including in the bronze which has cracks and water is seeping through it.
The plan is to restore it to its former glory with major work being done to the basin on top which will probably be lined with fibreglass or plastic in an attempt to save it.
The fountain circulates about 750,000 litres of water. Its restoration is expected to cost €2 million.
Dr Gatt said that discussions are yet to start with the owners of the kiosks in the area on their relocation. He noted that the originally proposed car park at the side of the open space will not feature in the new plans.
The minister also said that the bus terminus, which has seen an increase of three bays, does not need to grow any further.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Second group of migrants arrives
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
83 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Chris Grillo
Dec 10th 2011, 23:02
Despite many people not liking the new 'doorway' to Valletta, I must admit that despite being initially skeptical, I rather liked all that open space.
I have personally never liked the old entrance to Valletta, and these days what use is a gate? No invaders left to fight...
Glad that the fountain is there to stay though... Quite a bond with it, since when i was young...
Anthony Pace Gouder
Dec 11th 2011, 13:41
Dear Chris , it is a GREAT HERESY to have THIS, and any other , fortified historical city without a GATE . Besides Valletta is a World Heritage Site , By your reasoning the BASTIONS are useless and might as well be DEMOLISHED !
Alan Edwards
Dec 10th 2011, 16:57
I am pleased to hear that the Triton Fountain will not be moved after all, I personally wish that the City Gate entrance had not been demolished but a replica of the original gate had been erected in its place. I only hope that the Victoria Gate will remain.
Anthony Pace Gouder
Dec 10th 2011, 16:07
Il-'hump' li l-onorevoli Ministru qed jghaid l' ittellef il-VISTA ta'Bieb il-Belt ((hallija li din issa hi biss ticrita fis-SUR) , mhuwiex ghajr dizlivell li kwazi lanqas biss jidher GHAX JINTILEF f'dik il-wisgha !Dan huwa bhala qlib ghall ilma tax-XITA madwar il-funtana . Dan ukoll iservi ghax ma l-icken ziffa ta'rih l-ilma tal- funtana jispicca fit-trieq!
Jekk dan id-dizlivell 'INSINJIFIKANTI' ,'hotba?' QED ITTELLEF il-vista mill-BISKUTTIN ta'bieb il-Belt , lil-Mnistru u l-esperti tieghu, dan ma jghamilx sens. Stramba hafna kif skond dan ir-ragunar il-FUNTANA li qieghda HIJA BISS EZATTAMENT fin nofs QUDDIEM il-famus ''bieb'' u li hi GHOLJA mhux hazin , ma ttelliflhomx !
Malta qeghdin ................................
Anthony Pace Gouder
Dec 10th 2011, 12:05
@ Frans H Said
Just a slight correction regarding the design of the 1966 City gate . The name Bertonzo ,as the Designer of the 1966 CITY GATE,is in-correct and should read BERGONZO .
Actually , for that project , there was a competition , as in normal criteria, that was won by the ITALIAN firm of M.Zavellani -Rossi renouned for a good number of pre-war Projects commissioned by Mussolini's Facist Regime.
This firm had entrusted Sig. Alziro Bergonzo to design the gate and the plans for the opera house . A fairly large scale model had been exhibited where the building of the Opera House followed the same Architectural Features as the Gate . ' Meno male' it was never built!
Mr John Apap
Dec 10th 2011, 10:51
At Last my late father can stop spinning in his grave and just in time for Christmas too! My sisters and I are overjoyed to hear the good news. I would like to thank the persons who were outraged at the initial news and who have shown solidarity throughout. Now that the fountain is going to remain in its rightful place, maybe a step further can be taken to list it as a Grade One Structure. A substantial amount of money seems to have been allocated for its restoration and it is only fitting that the largest work of art on the island be granted this, if nothing else to alleviate the possibility of this ever happening again, and especially as the project appears to have been entrusted to the very capable hands of a highly respected person, in the field of bronze restoration, as Mr Kenneth Cauchi.
John Apap
Anthony Pace Gouder
Dec 10th 2011, 05:06
This Minister thinks he can take the entire Nation for a ride! The hump he's talking about ,obstructing the view of the 'gateless' entrance to the City(?) that is also dipicted on the cross-section drawing is IMAGINARY !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Certainly the removal of this 'hump' is a contributor to the five million, n.b. 'expected' estimated (?) cost . Reflected also in RP's professional fees .
Cannot believe that Renzo Piano is involved (possibly his first) in such a 'petty' paving and landscaping project , planning and producing drawings worthy of a Draughtsperson's , maximum , two day job !
Jonathan McBee
Dec 9th 2011, 23:58
Thank heavens for people finally seeing sense ... The whole City Gate project hasn't been handled well (or so I think, anyway), but moving the fountain was the single most futile part of the entire plan.
mark borg
Dec 9th 2011, 22:49
I suggest the fountain be removed and replaced with a large Austin statue, in memoriam of the Arriva endless farce.
Mr Raymond S. Vella
Dec 9th 2011, 22:05
Restoration of the fountain is expected to be around €2 million. I just wish to know how many potholes would have been repaired with €2 million. I am trying in vain to decipher how priorities work here.
J. Abela
Dec 9th 2011, 18:57
Common sense prevails. Most probably Piano didn't know that the fountain was built out of concrete not stone blocks and basically, in order to move it, one has to completely destroy it and rebuilt anew rather then simply move it block by block.
Ms.D. Galea
Dec 10th 2011, 11:00
If Piano did not know , it was his damn business to know. That is why we, the tax payers ended up paying through our noses for his services.
Joe Morana
Dec 9th 2011, 18:21
it is good to learn that the Triton Fountain is rightfully being given significant approriate consideration by the 'Authorities'.
Regrettably this contrast sharply with the total neglect towards the historic and beatiful 400 year old Wignacourt Fountains in Floriana....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN79GXz3mIk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrZmSWxWjAE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMWN8GVZOXM&feature=related
.
Meditate......!!!!
K. Vella
Dec 9th 2011, 19:06
Agreed, the authorities should consider to shift (or create a replica, since it has deteriorated to get back that splendour), however, this should be placed at Castille square instead the monument of Manwel Dimech. Castille square should be dediacted to all past Prime Ministers who served the country.
One should even consider to remove the roundabout as well.
This fountain is another gem of Maltese history and it will enrich even more our Capital city.
Victor Pulis
Dec 9th 2011, 18:16
Jien nissuspetta li qatt ma kien hemm hsieb vera li l-funtana ticcaqlaq. Imbaghad nghidu li instemghet il vuci tal poplu. imissha nstemghet meta tkellmet kontra l-farsa tax xaqq tal belt, it topless theatre u l-parlament fuq il- lasti.Imma ridna opra ta'Piano u hadniha.
Mrs Mary Fisher
Dec 9th 2011, 17:49
THANK GOD FOR THAT! AT LONG LAST COMMON SENSE PREVAILS. CAN WE SEE SOMETHING BEING DONE ABOUT THE ROOFLESS THEATRE NOW>
Oswald Spiteri
Dec 10th 2011, 01:08
I FULLY AGREE.
C Galea
Dec 9th 2011, 17:32
Dwawn l flus kollha bies ser naghamlu XAQQ , tejatru bla saqaf u parlament li kien hemm postijiet fejn jista jigi relokat???
Hallas poplu
Timothy R. Chilvers
Dec 9th 2011, 17:30
I am very glad to hear that the fountain is not to be moved. Equally, animation has now returned to the site with buses letting off passengers, instead of us having to march all across it . May we now call the gate PORTA PIANO? Gatt Gate doesn't sound quite right, although he could watch the buses!
Lawrence Fenech
Dec 9th 2011, 16:56
Povru Teatru Real u Bieb il-Belt, darbtejn irrovinati taht gvern Nazzjonalista din id-darba bl'ajnuna ta' barrani imhallas belli liri u periti maltin imwarbin. Gharukaza.
A. Sultana
Dec 9th 2011, 19:57
Kif gie rrovinat it-Teatru rjali? Ghax mhux se jibqa' fi stat ta abbandun bhal ma kien? Ghax mhux se tibqa' issib hmieg, tabelli, riklami u boroz tal-pastizzi madwaru? Ghax ha jitnehhew il-hwienet minn go fih? Hemm ghalfejn insemmi aktar? Dan kien l-unika progett li jaghmel sens mil-progett kollu.
X'jaghmel sens allura? Bieb il-belt minghajr bieb? Il-monstru ta hadid li qed jibnu fl-unika pjazza sura li kien hemm u spiccaw ghattew kollox?
U fil-kaz li ma ndunajtx dan l-artiklu kien jindirizza lil funtana tat-Tritoni.
Mario J Spiteri
Dec 9th 2011, 16:51
Minghajr ma noffendi; tista timmagina diehel go belt imdawwra bis-swar u bieb m'ghandhiex! Arak diehel id-dar minghajr bieb x'tahseb sieheb? Kif ser turi li jghaqdu l-kavallier ta S.Gwann ma ta S. Gakbu? B'xi pont trasparenti? It-teatru Rjal kien imsaqqaf, allura m'ahniex kapaci nergghu naghmluh kif kien? Suppost kellu l-partijiet tieghu innumerati, x'sar minnhom? Intilfu jew marru f'xi djar ta nies li ghandhom x'jaqsmu ma rjus kbar? Il-Colosseum differenti mit-teatru li spicca mwaqqgha/mgarraf. Jekk se jsir progett nippretendi li jsir sew u jittiehdu in konsiderazzjoni xi qbil ikun hemm mal-pubbliku u dawk li jaghmlu uzu u taw sehemhom f'teatri madwar id-dinja. Inkredibbli li fis-60's kellu jkun il-pn biex garraf/harbat whatever il-bieb li kien hemm biex kien tella iehor pastazata prima kwalita u issa progett li ser juri ahjar x'belt imhassra se jhallulna. Ahna li llum nafu naraw u tghallimna wara li sfortunatament tlaqna ghal rihna m'ghandniex inhallu nbarranin jghidulna x'isir u nibqghu imwikkijin bih u b'misthija nghadduh lil ta warajna. L-unika haga li kuntent biha minkejja dan it-tahwid u tghaffig kollu hi li llum hareg li l-funtana mhux ser ticcaqlaq. U nispera li QATT ma terga ssir hsara bhalma saret meta ttellghu muturi w karrozzi fuq il-platt ta fuqha! jidher li deher xi naqra dawl minkejja t-tberbiq ta flus bl-addocc li qed isir biex jaghtuna l-ghalf ghal-lixka tal-elezzjoni!
J Busuttil
Dec 9th 2011, 17:00
Min harbat bieb il-belt l-antik??? il-PN Inti Zgur Sur Spiteri
FRANS H SAID
Dec 9th 2011, 18:49
@ J Busttil
Yes it was the PN under Georgio Borg Olivier. After an international competition, the design by Bertonzo was chosen. The block of flats, gate etc are all his design. There was also a cerimony planned to lay the foundation stone of the ndw theatre by some Royal personage but then there was an election and Mintoff took over and put everything in the freeze.
BUT YES it was the PN who invented a wide door and the reason was so that the carnival floats could pass through. So the PN today are censoring their own people.
It is a pity that no gate will be built. At least the British always built a new and better gate when they wanted to enlarge the entrance. This was the case in Portes des Bombes, City Gate, Victoria gate and Imdina. Many call the British Barbarians, but it seems the present government is the worse Barbarians of all.
What the Barbarians did not do to Rome it was done by Barberini (a famous quotation)
M Cachia
Dec 9th 2011, 19:57
Mr Said - Just a minor correction; None of the gates of Imdina are British built.
Alfred Cassar
Dec 9th 2011, 22:47
Mr Said, yes Bieb il-Belt was built in the 60's under PN govt but if I'm correct the flats on the left hand side on entering Valletta have been built in the 70's under MLP govt. Correct?
Charles Massa
Dec 9th 2011, 16:48
U turn ohra ta Dr Gatt
Joseph Calleja
Dec 9th 2011, 17:09
Except this time it is an excellent turn? The people have spoken and the people have been heard for a change.
Franco Ebejer
Dec 9th 2011, 19:28
U -Turn jew le sa fra tant il flus xorta hargu u se jergaw johorgu ghal site plans godda nimmagina hu fejn se jmorru il flus tax-xoghol li kien se jsir fuq il funtana! Nahseb dan kollhu dawrien ta kliem biex il kartiera ta xi 4 min nies tigber izjed!
Alexander Pace Gouder.
Dec 9th 2011, 16:46
Good News at Last. When the news had reached us that the Triton Fountain was going to be removed I was one of the many who commented against its removal and objected. Finally it seems that Hon.Austin Gatt has understood that this was going to be a Negative move leading to thousands of EURO going down the drain.
Joseph Calleja
Dec 9th 2011, 17:16
And he also realized that it would have cost GonziPN a lot of votes. Maybe, it seems that the Hon.Austin Gatt has woken up from his deep sleep and is starting to listen to the people, never say never. And please this time don't let any radio station talk you into using the fountain as a swimming expedition?
FRANS H SAID
Dec 9th 2011, 16:37
One question. I am under the impression that the Minister had stated that at least 60 parking slots (half of which were to be dedicated to the handicapped) were going to be provided outside City Hole. What happened to these? Does it mean that the handicapped will not have an area of parking specifically dedicated to them?
Paul Borg
Dec 9th 2011, 16:33
Onfoq Wistin ghax mhux tieghek il-Flus !!! Li jibda hazin jispicca hazin...u kif jghid TOTO' ...e Io Pago.
Arsenio Ellul
Dec 9th 2011, 16:23
And they have the cheek to ask Joseph Muscat what are his plans!!!!! Surely not like yours.
Victor Pulis
Dec 9th 2011, 15:43
Jidher car li il progett tax xaqq tal belt qieghed jinbidel kull gimgha! Fejn hu l-ippjanar? Ftit ilu il ministru qal kemm se tiswa ic caqliqa tal funtana sinjal li saru estimi u nhlew il flus fil process. issa ergajna dawwarna l-hsieb u se nippruvaw inbiddlu r-railings tal appartamenti!! Din hi disfatta ohra bhaltal Arriva li minn mindu bdiet ma nafx kemm il tibdila saritilha. Inraqqu l-pannu bil qaghr'ahmar jew ahjar, inraqqu l-Piano bil qaghr'ahmar!!
Victor Pulis
Dec 9th 2011, 15:37
Mr Robert Tagliaferro
Today, 14:47
Sur Laiviera, il-Coliseum f'Ruma huwa minajr saqaf. Allura il-Coliseum mhuwiex teatru ?
Ukoll, Bieb Bombi fi Floriana huwa sabih biżżejjed. M'għandnix bżonn "Bieb" għal Belt. "Daħla" ghal Belt huwa aħjar.
Il kolossew ta'Ruma mhux teatru kif nifhmuh ahna. Izjed jista'jitqabbel ma'ground tal football modern. Fih ma kienux isiru teatrini imma glied tal gladjaturi. Il kolossew kellu tinda (Velarium) li kienet tinfirex meta tkun ix xemx jew kontra x-xita. Kienu jhaddmuha bahrin mill flotta Rumana mill port ta'Ostia.
Il fatt li ghandna bieb il Bombi ma jfissirx li m'ghandnix ikollna bieb ghall belt. Il Bombi hu bieb trionfali bhall arcde triomph f'parigi.
Lawrence Fenech
Dec 9th 2011, 17:04
@Pulis.
Il-Colosseo illlum munument ta' tifkira ma ipprovawx jerghu jibnuh mill-gdid bla saqaf.
Bieb-il-Bombi gie restawrat kif kien u aktar kien dahla ghal-Floriana milli ghal-belt.
Arc de Triumph hu monument ghas-suldati bla isem li mietu fil-gwerra.
Thallatx hass ma ...........................
Victor Pulis
Dec 9th 2011, 18:13
Sur Fenech jidher li ma fhemt xejn milli ktibt jien. Fejn issuggerejt li l-kolossew jerga' jinbena? jien ktibt biex ma nhalltux il kolossew ma' teatru ghax ma kienx. Mur obsor li Bieb il Bombi mhux bieb ghal belt!
FRANS H SAID
Dec 9th 2011, 15:36
I hope that ALL readers will read between the lines. Have a good look at the new plans and you will notice that there are no additional bus slots, thus the system that failed is still to be imposed ignoring all the complaints and hardship of passengers. Passengers will still have to alight at a certain distance from City Hole come rain or shine. If the bus slots are to be placed in front of the Phoenicia Hotel more distance will be involved.
The Hon Minister must be very clear of the bus system. Is this going to be for the convenience of the public or just to create a large square in an area that already has more than enough squares.
The Prime Minister should also delve deep in these plans. First and foremost it is the people and the passengers that count not the hole in the wall.
Please all in the cabinet, can you find out what is going on? Can you please let us poor public and tax payers know what is being planned. The Prime Minister MUST be very clear regarding ALL the plans and how these are going to effect the public. The various hubs in the teeny-weeny island of Malta will never work.
This is not a case of face saving but of being a gentleman and admit that the plans on paper will not work, will never work and that sooner or later the public MUST have a more convenient and workable system.
mark borg
Dec 9th 2011, 15:25
@ Mr Robert Tagliaferro
Ghadek kemm ghedt l-akbar stupitagni li smajt dawn l-ahhar 25 sena (kemm ilkhum tharbtu Malta)....Il Colisseum ta Ruma kellhu saqaf...u ma tarax li kieku stess ma tridx tkun f sensik biex tikumpara binjiet tal lum ma dawk ta elfen sena ilu !!!!!!!
Mr J Xerri
Dec 9th 2011, 15:14
Well so somebody found out that there was no need to move the Triton Fountain and rebuilt it again to be carry out an inauguration ceremony.. as the Fountain has never been officially inaugurated and so this ceremony ( which of course will cost some more thousands of Euro) can be still be held without moving the fountain.
Christopher Pollard
Dec 9th 2011, 15:08
The use of "damages" as the plural of damage is not idiomatic English. Damages is usually used to describe the payment awarded by a court against the commission of a civil or criminal offence. If a work of art, such as the Triton Fountain, sustains damage several times, that does not add up to damages but to several instances of damage.
Astrid Vella
Dec 9th 2011, 14:54
A sensible decision that respects our nation's artistic heritage and reflects well on all involved in this project.
Edward Mallia
Dec 9th 2011, 15:53
Hear Hear Astrid. For once Augustine Gatt has taken a step back. Well done,Minister.
Joseph Calleja
Dec 9th 2011, 17:28
Yes Astrid, and this time once it is finished and repaired, that fountain should be on 24/7 and maintained properly. The Triton Fountain is a National Monument orchestrated by two Maltese Architects. I think the Government should turn the water on and let the lights, light up the sky as a Welcome embrace to all.
Arsenio Ellul
Dec 9th 2011, 14:52
Dr.Gatt never ceases to amaze me, he's incredible, he thinks we are all stupid, but your'e totally wrong.
K. Vella
Dec 9th 2011, 14:48
Can you now consider to ask MCP to roof the multi storey car park with a turf.
I cannot imagine spending millions on such project (which I totally agree) and not looking at a broader picture in having such an eyesore which does not compliment the entrance to our Capital City Valletta.
I hope that someone will consider this suggestion.
Astrid Vella
Dec 9th 2011, 14:55
I believe that the car park developers were obliged to build as part of the conditions of their permit. MEPA, where are you on this?
Victor Laiviera
Dec 9th 2011, 15:08
Yes, I remember very clearly that "roofing over" and turfing was one of the conditions when the tender was awarded. When it was safely in the bag, this condition was waived.
I think the horse has long since bolted on this one.
The story of how the MCP car park ended up in the hands of the present owners is very, very interesting and would make a very good story for some gutsy, investigative journalist.
J. Borg
Dec 9th 2011, 15:52
Mr Vella makes a very valid point. What is the point of taking care to design the entry to the Capital City and get Renzo Piano engaged, when just a few metres away, MCP car park causes a real eye sore. MCP is indeed providing a well deserved car service, however from an aesthetics point of view it looks really bad. It is essentially a big hole covered with concrete and storing hundreds of cars. The Renzo Piano Project really deserves to look into this matter. Minister Gatt, please take note and..............of course...........action on behalf of us citizens. Thanks.
Mario Grima
Dec 9th 2011, 14:44
The open space project will cost €5 million, the restoration of the Triton fountain another €2 milion, the parliament and the roofless theatre a cool €80 million, subsidies to Arriva god knows how many more mega € millions, a bridge leading to nowhere another €2 million.........
Nice to have but this 'money no problem' government needs to prioritise. Ever seen the family breadwinner purchasing a car when his kids are starving?
C Demanuele
Dec 9th 2011, 16:46
i heard many times the breadwinner story you mentioned. or plasma TV's and the children dont have a penny to count on. and i guess the Eur2 million restoration is part of the Eur5 million. the point is that whatever is done will never make happy everyone. we need to accept that everyone sees everything in a subjective manner and so it leads to all these differing opinions.
Charles Micallef
Dec 9th 2011, 14:41
For the love of all that is factual why did we not get the facts right at the offset and conducted the study first and before we appeared in front of the press and annouce that the triton fountain is going to move? or do we really enjoy controversies that stir up the nation's feelings?
Charles J. Buttigieg
Dec 9th 2011, 14:40
Why can't this minister ever get it right the first time?
David Mangion
Dec 9th 2011, 15:06
So if minister Austin Gatt does it his way not matter what, we call him arrogant.
If then he listens to constructive criticism, makes amendments, accepts suggestions and implements them, we accuse him of never getting it right the first time.
He just can't win with us, can he ?
Matthew Tabone
Dec 9th 2011, 14:26
Pleased to note that common sense has prevailed on this issue.
Just an observation could you please increase the soft landscaping instead of having a huge pjazza and a just a hanful of trees!! Please do not forget to include in your plans that eyesore that exists next to the war memorial...I am refering to that existing hole at the car park that had to be landscaped loong time ago!!
Finally can one tell me why for the facade of the gov apartments will be changed (good thing) for conformity with the general street scape of Valletta and THEN in front of it we will have a very modern building!!!! Just make no sense at all.....
Michael Magri
Dec 9th 2011, 14:25
"..The Triton Fountain was commissioned in 1953 and work started on it in 1955. It was used for the first time on May 16, 1959 AND HAS NEVER BEEN OFFICIALLY INAUGURATED..." .....
Oh Boy what a shaaame...!! Never been officially inaugurated ehhhh....!!! Haa Haa Haa.. Ara veru m`ghandniex fuq x`hiex nhedew ta...!!
Victor Laiviera
Dec 9th 2011, 14:24
.... and, of course, the Parliament on Stilts.
Victor Laiviera
Dec 9th 2011, 14:14
Thank heaven for small mercies. How about revisiting the Gateless Gate and the Roofless Theater?
Mr Robert Tagliaferro
Dec 9th 2011, 14:47
Sur Laiviera, il-Coliseum f'Ruma huwa minajr saqaf. Allura il-Coliseum mhuwiex teatru ?
Ukoll, Bieb Bombi fi Floriana huwa sabih biżżejjed. M'għandnix bżonn "Bieb" għal Belt. "Daħla" ghal Belt huwa aħjar.
Jeffrey Mallia
Dec 9th 2011, 15:01
Sur Tagliaferro, il Coluseo ta Ruma qatt ma kien jintuza minghajr saqaf.........kellu saqaf maghmul min newl, u li tqatta mal moghdijja taz zmien.....jigifieri ir rumani elfejn sena ilu kienu SENSIBBLI.
Il belt ta La Vallette hija belt fortizza............ghalekk kellha bieb grandjuz, li kissru fis snin sittinijiet.
Victor Laiviera
Dec 9th 2011, 15:04
Minn fejn ġibt l-idea li l-Colosseum huwa teatru? Il-fatt li ġieli jintuża BĦALA teatru fis-Sajf ma jfisser xejn. Barra minn hekk, f'Ruma hemm biżibilju teatri msaqqfin. Kieku kellhom wieħed biss,bħalna, ibqa' ċert li jsibu mod kif isaqqfuh.
Li tħalli s-swar tal-Belt mingħajr bieb ewlieni qisek qed tibni statwa ta' La Valletta u tħalliha minghajr ras. U ma naħsibx li tista' ġġib, bħala skuża, il-fatt li hemm statwa oħra ftit il-bogħod li għandha ras sabieħa.
M Muscat
Dec 9th 2011, 15:59
Ghalura ghaliex il-Birgu kien hemm ticrita fis sur u saret mina (BIEB). U l-Belt kien hemm mina u ghamilna ticrita
kollox bil-maghqlub... Hawadni ha nifnmek... xejnsew.com
Dwar it-tijatru bla saqaf... jista xi hadd jghidli meta jista jintuza dan ghax jekk xi hadd jghidli fis-sajf neghidlu li bil-
festi li ghanna ma dwar il-port hija impossibli bl-istorbju tan nar li jsier xi haga.
David Spiteri
Dec 9th 2011, 14:13
impressjonanti!!!!
i cannot understand how incompetent we are! and keep on spending money and re spend for new consultancy!
Franky Jones
Dec 9th 2011, 14:09
Triton 1 - Renzo Piano 0
Eric Soames
Dec 9th 2011, 14:01
An about turn, but still mega bucks to stand still. No chance of an about turn on the debacle across the moat I suppose?
Francis Sammut
Dec 9th 2011, 13:56
Minister Gatt and I should add our Prime Minister saw the light finally, regarding the moving of the Triton Fountain. I ask, how about now trying to revist the theatre without a roof? Now that would be a great idea, don't you think?
Gillian Snook
Dec 9th 2011, 17:07
Exactly what I was thinking.
Mario Farrugia
Dec 9th 2011, 13:49
...."major restoration work which will take 18 months to two years"...
Eh????? for A FOUNTAIN?????
Will they be gold-plating it, or what??
C Muscat
Dec 9th 2011, 13:40
Good News! Salvajna xi haga ta l-inqas.
Ian Vella
Dec 9th 2011, 13:37
A How much was spent on plans to move the fountain?
B How much did the decision to leave everything as is cost?
The result from A & B above would be quite an entertaining reply probably!
B Agius
Dec 9th 2011, 13:36
Millions in subsidies ti Arriva, 80 million euros for a parliament and a theater without a roof and now another 2 million for a fountain....what about taking a break with all this fanfare expenditure and concentrate on the real needs of the citizens.
No family will spend money on refurbishing their house's facade when their income is not covering their expenditure.
But money is no problem for this country....or may I say the government.
Victor Pulis
Dec 9th 2011, 13:17
Like the Arriva debacle, the city non gate project seems to be moving along in hiccups. A patch here and a patch there. Work which was never envisaged in the original plans crops up every day. A case in point is the removal/non removal of the fountain.It is obvious that decisions are being taken on the day. Re the restoration of the fountain I hope that the column holding up the dish is removed and the fountain is given back its lost negative space which in sculpture is just as important as the figures themselves.
M Cauchi
Dec 9th 2011, 13:10
a sensible decision to leave the fountain where it is!
Mr Rupert Cefai
Dec 9th 2011, 13:08
This is such a good news!
Pat Hobson
Dec 9th 2011, 13:06
Another U-turn on a minor scale!
Oliver Grech
Dec 9th 2011, 13:47
At least its on a minor scale. The labour party did a u turn on much more delicate and important issues dear!
Mr Joe Micallef
Dec 9th 2011, 14:31
Pat so you surely feel at home!
Pat Hobson
Dec 9th 2011, 14:48
@Grech. At least the PL isn't obstinate and re-evaluates its position. Much unlike the present government, where the majority of the Maltese don't want city gate and the roofless theatre, and the arrogant PN government continues against their wishes.
M Cachia
Dec 9th 2011, 14:57
I see so PN=U-turn while PL=re-evaluating the position.
Smells like hypocrisy to me.
Oliver Grech
Dec 9th 2011, 15:19
@M. Cachia...do you expect anything better? Hypocrisy at its best. And dear Pat you are also contradicting yourself. This continues to show how much the LP think that the Maltese people are stupid...but thank God we re not.
Maria Zammit
Dec 9th 2011, 12:58
Revisit??? Does this mean a double payment for double plans? Who is going to bear the cost for leaving the fountain where it was in the first place?
M Cachia
Dec 9th 2011, 14:58
So we should leave it to collapse into ruin? Non-constructive criticism is as useful as a hole in the head!