Experts examine remains of original Fort St Elmo wall
Video: Paul Spiteri Lucas
Experts are examining the remains of an old wall which could possibly have formed part of the original Fort St Elmo before the Great Siege.
The discovery was made late last month during restoration works on the upper part of the fort.
Historian Stephen Spiteri said that during the restoration works, a stone came loose and workers then discovered the remains of an ancient wall behind it. Further excavation will be necessary, but it could be that the wall led to a tunnel to Grand Harbour from where men and material were smuggled when the fort was besieged during the Great Siege of 1565.
Architect Ray Demicoli said the wall went down to the rock and indicated how deep the original ditch was.
The wall is believed to have been built in 1552.Other remains of the original fort exist and form part of the present structure.
Dr Spiteri said experts had long suspected that remains of the original fort still remained and a trench was dug some time ago just a few metres away from where the old wall was found. However no new remains were found.
Minister Austin Gatt, who visited Fort St Elmo this morning, said that in view of the importance of this discovery and the need for further excavations, completion of restoration of the upper part of Fort St Elmo may extend beyond the end of 2014.
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B. Cachia
Jul 6th 2012, 08:04
It's a pity that the achievement of 1565 is being nullified by our current immigration policy. Who needs sieges when one can just move to a place en masse and take it over in a generation or two?
Sammy Borg
Jul 6th 2012, 08:45
You are hundred per cent right. I commented the same words on TOM bout five years ago. Malta was the bulwark of Europe and Christianity in the fifteen century, thanks to the Knights and our ancestors. Malta will be the African and Islam`s bulwark in the twenty fifth century. Europe`s map will change significantly. La Vallette is churning in his grave right now. I hope Gaddafi`s words are haunting Gonzi and his cronies.
Gozoroo
Joe Portelli
Jul 8th 2012, 14:00
The 1565 achievment was nullified the minute it was not selcted as the National Day od Malta, which should have been, because history shows it was an achievement that 'created' todays Malta. The rest is history as they say, inlcuding not electing the most prominant MEP who had the answers for stopping the illegal immigration, its crimes and its consequences. Maltese people elect those that personally damage their enemies rather than for the national interest, sad to say.
Astrid Vella
Jul 6th 2012, 00:54
Well done to all involved. This is indeed an excting moment!
Carmel Vella
Jul 6th 2012, 00:05
Here's hoping all goes well , and that there are enough funds to see this to completion. Good work Dr. Gatt.
Ms.D. Galea
Jul 5th 2012, 22:03
What a terrific discovery.
Thanks to the heroic defenders of Fort St Elmo, the Ottoman invader lost the battle.The month long seige resulted in thousands of invaders lost either by war and illness. It is recorded that at one time the bombardment of the fort was so intense that it could be heard across the waters from Sicily.
It is also recorded that when one of the leaders of the invasion got a full account of how many Ottoman soldiers and resources were lost in order to take control of the Fort, , he said .... if the child cost us so much , how much more will the father cost..
That tunnel must be one of several that were used during the seige to convey supplies of food and arms to the beseiged knights and Maltese fighting against all odds to keep the Fort from falling in enemy hands .
John Spiteri Jones
Jul 5th 2012, 19:22
Dear DR Austain Gatt, You have done wonders in our beloved capital far more then others before you since the rebuilding of Valletta after the blitz , most prominent places like the two barrakka, the streets, porta reale, lifts ,the demolition of the old city gates, rearranging the bus terminus, and other works are all thanks to you, please keep focusing on fort ST Elmo and let's not forget strait street, this also should be done up and encourage shops and restaurants to move in this historic street.entertainment such as clubs, pool rooms, small casinos should also be encouraged to come to valletta, this will help bring some nightlife into the city.
Giovanni Rizzo
Jul 5th 2012, 17:09
Excellent,keep on with the good work.
Mr Matthew Galea
Jul 5th 2012, 16:01
Great news for history lovers like myself. Now lets wait and see if there will be some idiot who thinks its an eyesore and decides to build a block of apartments instead.......
RE: The Royal Opera House
B. Storace
Jul 5th 2012, 17:14
Only MEPA can decide if they receive Dr Gatt's blessing.
Charles Mizzi
Jul 5th 2012, 15:15
WOW how rich Malta is in history.
D Mifsud
Jul 5th 2012, 15:12
These are the things we need to preserve as these make us a unique destination for tourists. Shopping malls and other monstrous buildings on the shoreline wont impress will hardly impress any tourist and we certainly cannot compete on that level
Alex Buds
Jul 5th 2012, 15:12
Malta is truly a magnificent country full of interest, especially for history buffs like myself. Looking forward to returning soon.
Victor Pulis
Jul 5th 2012, 15:05
Fantastic! Now I am waiting on tenterhooks for the opening of the Fortifications museum at biagio Building.
Victor Rodenas
Jul 5th 2012, 14:34
In 1488 the Aragonese had already built a small Fort on Mt Xiberras, could this wall be part of that Fort?
M Cachia
Jul 5th 2012, 21:56
Fort St Angelo was the site of the castellum maris, the seat of the counts of Malta from at least well into the 1200s. There is some literature that suggests a fort structure was there in the byzantine era too!
Vincent Scerri
Jul 5th 2012, 13:57
If need be, time limit should extend as long as it takes. An historical find like that needs to be studied and preserved if real. Well done people.
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