Works are well under way at Fort St Elmo, which will see the historical gem restored to its former glory and serving as an outstanding tourist attraction.

For years, the crumbling fort had been closed off to the public, with a small section occupied by the police academy.

The 3.9 hectare fort complex is replete with hidden curiosities and tokens from the past, dating from prior the construction of Valletta, through to the Great Siege and the Knights of St John and trailing into British rule and World War II.

The works will cost €15.5 million, 85 per cent of which were funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Speaking during a walkabout of the fort complex yesterday, Culture Minister Mario de Marco said the project, which started last June, is expected to be completed by September 2014.

The project will improve Malta’s tourism product by luring visitors and economic activity to the lower end of Valletta.

The rehabilitation works are currently generating many jobs and, once completed, will provide employment for 28 people, the minister said.

While the upper part of Valletta is undergoing various rehabilitation works such as the City Gate project, the new parliament and the open-air theatre, Fort St Elmo will also serve as a creativity cluster at the lower part of Valletta, he said.

“The fort represents Malta, with its multiple layers of history... Fort St Elmo incorporates our history, identity, culture and employment.”

What is commonly referred to as ‘Fort St Elmo’ consists of three parts, namely Fort St Elmo, Carafa Enceinte (the outer parts of the fort) and Lower St Elmo (where parts of the 1978 film Midnight Express were filmed).

The project incorporates the Fort St Elmo and Carafa Enceinte sections. Lower St Elmo would require a further €25 million to be restored.

Two religious buildings are located within the precincts of the fort. The old chapel, better known as “Del Soccorso”, has been in existence since 1488.

The chapel was rededicated to St Anne in the mid-16th century and is embellished with ornate stone carvings that date to the 17th century.

It also houses a rare 15th century icon of the Madonna and her child, which was brought over by the Knights from Lepanto, Greece.

Another church, also dedicated to St Anne and which has an early 18th century baroque façade overlooking the renovated Piazza d’Armi (upper parade ground), was desecrated during the British period and its interior was completely remodelled.

During the British period, between 1866 and 1877, the defensive outworks were strengthened by the construction of a series of gun emplacements and embrasures.

A circular stone lighthouse used to dominate the skyline of the fort and served as a guiding beacon to incoming ships. It was dismantled in 1940 since it also served as a landmark for the enemy aircraft during World War II.

A competition will be organised as part of the 2018 European Capital of Culture activities, whereby people will be invited to submit their designs for the reconstruction of the lighthouse.

Within the bastion walls themselves, historians had also located the burial place of Sir Ralph Abercrombie, a contemporary of Lord Nelson.

The project, which is being implemented by the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation in collaboration with Heritage Malta, will include a military history museum and a Valletta people’s museum.

The military history museum, which will be an extension of the current war museum, will span from prehistory to present times and will be located in various buildings throughout the fort.

It will also comprise a research centre as well as office and conference facilities.

The Valletta people’s museum will focus on the sociological aspect of the city and will be located in Vendôme Bastion.

These two museums will fall under the auspices of Heritage Malta.

A third attraction, termed ‘Ramparts Walk’, will be free of charge.

This will be a walk along the Enceinte and feature an interpretation of historic structures and spectacular views of both harbours.

The fort will be dotted by a number of barcodes which may be scanned with smartphones or computer tablets to obtain instant information on the particular site or historical feature.

The fort’s ample open spaces may be used for out-door exhibitions, performances and re-enactments.