The original Valletta fortification plans drawn by 16th century architect Francesco Laparelli will be exhibited for three months to mark the opening of a new fortifications centre in Valletta.

The five plans, which date from 1566, were loaned by the Cortona Museum in Italy. They show the evolution of Laparelli’s thinking and will be accompanied by 3D models.

Valletta’s fortifications were constructed between 1566 and 1571 by 4,000 workers – the largest workforce Malta had ever seen at the time.

The island’s unique network of fortifications and coastal batteries can now be fully appreciated in the new museum in Valletta, which will be officially opened tomorrow.

Located in St Mark’s Street (in what was previously used as an examination centre at Biagio Steps), The Fortress Builders is not just a museum but an active research centre with a library collecting all available literature on Malta’s fortifications as well as a lecture centre where a number of talks will be held.

While touring the building in its final stages of completion, Resources Minister George Pullicino said that the Maltese Islands boast 60km of fortifications. €36 million have been spent in restoring six kilometres of fortifications, such as those of Mdina and Ċittadella where parts were collapsing.

The new fortifications interpretation centre cost €1.7 million and was co-financed by the EU.

The building itself dates back to the 16th century when it was used as a warehouse and artillery school by the Knights of St John. The upper level, which had been destroyed during World War II, has been rebuilt to emulate the original structure.

Research coordinator Stephen Spiteri stressed that the centre “is not a war museum but an expression of architecture, engineering and art”.

It hosts accurate models and reproductions of the network of coastal batteries and fortifications, as well as the quarrying and stone-shaping tools used.

Despite the fact that the most impressive and expansive fortifications were constructed by the Knights and the British, Malta’s fortifications history dates back to the Bronze Age, followed by the Punic, Roman and Medieval periods.

The centre also houses a wooden drawbridge dating back to 1644 which was thought to be used at Porta Reale, Valletta’s former main gate.

The centre, which is also fully accessible for the disabled and includes a children’s section, will hold an open day on Sunday from 10am to 7pm.

It will then be open from Mondays to Fridays between 10am and 3.30pm, currently free of charge.