Funds available at last for Fort St Angelo restoration
The European Regional Development Fund has agreed to allocate €13.4 million for the restoration of Fort St Angelo, Environment and Culture Minister Mario de Marco confirmed this afternoon.
The grant will enable a project for much needed full restoration of the fort to finally get under way.
Emergency works on the work are currently being carried out through a €1.5 million government grant.
The works started in June when a swimming pool, that dated back to the 1980s, was removed together with a water tank that was overlooking it.
Some work has also been done to the roof of the fort's entrance, which had received a direct hit in WW11. It will eventually be restored to its original vaulted structure which dates back to time of knights.
During the war, a bomb had opened up a crater, which the British repaired with steel beams and concrete. This intervention rusted with time damaging the stone in the process.
A complex operation has been carried out to remove the beams.
Dr de Marco said the European funds will also be used to open up the fort as a tourist attraction and also an attraction to be enjoyed by the Maltese. It will include a museum shop, a walk through experience and 'sleeping quarters' in the former barracks where visitors can sleep over for a night to enjoy the fort's experience. This, however, would not be a hotel, Dr de Marco said.
Dr de Marco said Fort St Angelo was an icon of Malta's history and should be enjoyed once more by the public. This was also in line with efforts to attract more economy activity to Cottonera.
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Daniel Mercieca
Mar 6th 2012, 19:02
that's great news! i do hope that the beach there will also be returned to the public http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150299837962222&set=o.194958017193154&type=3&theater
Paul Cassar
Mar 6th 2012, 09:10
While applauding the fact that, at long last, Fort St Angelo, THE ICON of Malta and the Maltese, is being
restored, I CAN NEVER FORGIVE THE PRESENT GOVT FOR LEAVING IT FOR 25 WHOLE YEARS
DETERIORATING TO THE PRESENT MISERABLE STATE.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
J Craig
Mar 6th 2012, 08:20
And Joseph Muscat wanted Malta out of the EU!!!!!
JC Sullivan
Mar 6th 2012, 06:45
Political arguments should be kept out of a story about the restoration of a cultural gem.
Kurt Magro
Mar 5th 2012, 21:26
WELL DONE ... EXCELLENT NEWS... WHERE IS THE MALTESE GEMGEM ?
George Ebejer
Mar 5th 2012, 21:16
Another job entrusted to the fine hands of Architect Ruben Abela. Well done Ruben!
Steve Borg - Marsascala
Mar 5th 2012, 21:10
Ahbar tajba din. Pero bqajna b' dik li tidher hija t-tattika li b'kumbinazzjoni din l-ahbar tohrog ftit jiem qabel l-elezzjoni tal-kunsill lokali fil-Birgu.
Astrid Vella
Mar 5th 2012, 21:10
Excellent news, well done to all concerned. We look forward to learning more about the uses that the Fort will be put to. Whatever they are, this restoration will not only save the fort itself but also help the regeneration of the surrounding Three Cities.
Pippo DeMarco
Mar 5th 2012, 20:06
Unlike Dr Gonzi, Dr de Marco appreciates the importance and value of Malta's historic architecture. Unlike Dr Gonzi, Dr de Marco understands that politicians are only temporary custodians of a heritage that belongs to THE PEOPLE. And unlike Dr Gonzi, Dr de Marco has a political future.
Mario Spiteri
Mar 6th 2012, 00:07
The very party that we thought would give cultural leadership turned into the party of philistines. de Marco is one of the few exceptions. The outcry over the parliament and the theatre was when Gonzi should have listened to the people. He can bring in an army of Simon Busuttils but his performance over the theatre and parliament revealed Gonzi true colours.The people will never forgive Gonzi for his betrayal and his GonziPN will suffer, zgur mhux forsi.
James Tyrrell
Mar 6th 2012, 01:32
I agree with you on that Pippo. I would say that the only chance the PN have of winning the next election is with Mario de Marco as leader. The problem is Gonzo is too proud to admit that he has lost the trust of the people so he will lose the election to the Labour Party.
Ivan Cocker
Mar 5th 2012, 19:55
Finally! Good news ...
Lina Caruana
Mar 5th 2012, 19:33
Excellent news !!!! Something to make us proud and conscious of our Maltese heritage. Well Done ,no words can express such a satisfaction.
Jeremy J Camilleri
Mar 5th 2012, 19:12
Great news...now an estate agency was recently reported to be advertising parts of Fort St ANgelo for sale, marketing it as the ideal place for luxury apartments...is this true?
Joe Grech
Mar 5th 2012, 19:12
Well done to this project! This is the kind of project our country sorely needs. It certainly is very different from the superficial ''CPD tsunami awareness programme'' nonsense that's been described further up.
But while the real project has Minister Mario deMarco backing it ; the other one has Dolores Cristina and Carm Mifsud Bonnici as chief sponsors!
Gustav Svensson
Mar 5th 2012, 19:02
Excellent news
C Cassar
Mar 5th 2012, 19:00
Another big benefit of Malta as an EU member. Without membership the islands would still be in the run down state they were in the 1970s/1980s.
Victor Pulis
Mar 5th 2012, 20:47
While the EU funds are welcome the shambles the fort is in is not because of lack of funds but because of the wrong use made of the fort. millions were spent on the fort to turn it into a tourist complex complete with pool and disco. If that money was spent wisely the fort would not be in the predicament it finds itself in now.May the funds allocated to it be used to give the fort back its identity and dignity and from the way Dr. de marco is talking there is still hope.
Evarist Saliba
Mar 6th 2012, 12:29
@ Victor Pulis
I would suggest more prudence in your remarks since they may be misunderstood.
I do not think that millions of Liri were ever spent on a failed attempt at turning fort St Angelo into a shoddy hotel, but you are right in claiming that it was money down the drain. There were other acts of vandalism including the collapse of a side of the fort, not professionally restored.
It is unfortunate that an impression is being given (not by you) that this neglect took place under the administartion that is rebuilding (for good or for worse) the entrance to Valletta.
Victor Pulis
Mar 6th 2012, 18:33
@ Evarist Saliba
Which part of my comments could be misunderstood? is it the triviality of how much was spent badly on the fort's 'regeneration'? Believe me I know what I'm talking about when I comment on fort St. Angelo. I was born just across the creek and the fort has been part of my life. I saw it under the British and I saw it post 1979. I saw the front curtain of the fort collapse before my very eyes and I saw the way they 'restored' it with limestone blocks adding five windows in the process while the original stone was whisked away.I saw them demolish part of the bastion to build the swimming pool and I saw and heard the disco music emanating from the fort in the middle of the night. But i must add that the present administration is also to blame by its lack of action in stopping and reversing the decay until now. I hope that Dr. de Marco will succeed where others have failed and judging from the way he spoke I am optimistic.
Alfred Sancio Azzopardi
Mar 5th 2012, 18:50
Great news indeed!! It will certaingly enhance the Malta product even further and attract, increase Tourists
to that area. Well done.
Joe Morana
Mar 5th 2012, 18:39
Very good news indeed. Fort St Angelo is an icon of Malta's history and has for decades been denied adequate restoration works. It should be enjoyed once more in its splendour by the public. Well done to all concerned
vella m
Mar 5th 2012, 18:35
Very good news,PROSIT.
B. Storace
Mar 5th 2012, 18:12
Let us thank all concerned and now with fingers crossed we shall await our intrepid MEPA decisions. Hopefully works will commence later this year and not in the year dot.
Victor Pulis
Mar 5th 2012, 18:12
Dr. de marco's speech augers well for the fort. No talk of modern amenities like health spas, hotels and modern shops. The fact that Dr. de marco recognises the importnce of restoring the fort to its original glory bodes well for the much abused fort. With a lot of good will and common sense the fort can be transformed into one of the most popular venues with tourists and locals alike. Let's get on with the long over due task.
M Muscat
Mar 5th 2012, 17:22
Nispera li ma jiġriex bħal ma ġara fil-Knisja Parrokjali ta Bormla fejn intilfu 1.2 miljuni ewro minn ħabba l-
BOROKRAZIJA tal-MEPA, li għada ma ħargietx il-Permessi meħtieġa, dan il-proġett kien varat mill-Arċipriet il-Can
Joe Mifsud tlett snien illu, u issa intilef kollox.
Angus Black
Mar 5th 2012, 18:33
Tista tghidilna dasxejn aktar dwar kif 1.2 miljun ewro intilfu?
X'kien se jsir minn dawn il-flejjes?
Il-Parrocca kellha l-flus f'idejha, jew applikat x'imkien ghal xi ghotja ta flus u peress li ghadu ma harigx permess, allura il-flus ghadhom ma hargux?
U allura jekk johrog il-permess, dawn il-fondi jkunu accessibbli ghal progett? Jekk iva, allura il-flus ma ntifu xejn ghax il-Parrocca qatt ma rceviethom.
M Muscat
Mar 5th 2012, 19:17
Il-Flus kienu ġejjin mill-Ewropa għal proġett li kellu jsir sas-sena dieħla. Il-proġett kien jikkonsisti; f-Mużew biswiet
il-Knija, Manutenzzjoni tal-Kampnar li jmis miegħu, Manutenzjoni ta’ l-Orgni biex il-quddiem ikunu jistgħu jsieru
Kunċerti għat-turisti, il-Pittura ta’ Cali’ tal-Koppla li jinħtieġila manutenzzjoni u titranġa l-ħsara kbira li qed
jikkawża l-ilma fuq wara tas-sangristija.
L-Arċipriet kien marbut li jried ilesti x-xogħol kollu sas-sena d-dieħla u skond il-kundizzjonijiet li jagħmlu l-ewropa.
Il-MEPA għada ma ħarġietx il-Permess tal-Mużew u ta’ wara s-Sangristija.
Għallura l-FLUS INTILFU għax l-anqas jekk il-proġett jibda issa ŻGUR mhux se jkun lest sa sena oħra.
Roderick Mallia
Mar 5th 2012, 17:16
brilliant news indeed.....and well done Dr. de Marco for his role in the matter, but above all, for his decision NOT to have a hotel on this unique historical site.
Philip Micallef
Mar 5th 2012, 17:04
Congratulations Dr de Marco, keep up the good work.
Douglas Bagnall
Mar 5th 2012, 16:58
Great News, another step in the right direction to help increase genuine tourists to your lovely Island..
Doug Bagnall
England
Simon Oosterman
Mar 5th 2012, 16:56
Thank you EU!
Victor Pulis
Mar 5th 2012, 16:52
At last. perhaps Dr. De Marco will succeed where others failed either by commission or by ommission. It is heartening to read that the fort will be opened as a tourist attraction and that it will not be turned into a hotel. I had suggested that the fort house an armoury, An audio visual show about the fort's history on the lines of the Malta and Mdina experience. A souvenir shop selling items connected with the fort. I visited Salzburg castle and Kufstein castle both in Austria and Neuschwanstein castle in Germany and I was amazed at the creative ways these castles are used to attract tourists.
Charles Micallef
Mar 5th 2012, 16:38
Excellent news for Fort St Angelo, the history of Malta and for future generations that jewel is finally being restored!
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