The facade of Auberge de Castille in Valletta has been damaged by holes larger than the size of a table-tennis ball drilled right through the stonework during the installation of the new lighting system.

Architects have expressed complete disbelief that this irreversible intervention was carried out on such a major historic landmark, seemingly with the blessing of the authorities.

“This project is a travesty. I cannot understand how the planning authority could have allowed such a thing,” one architect specialised in restoration told this newspaper.

“Such an intervention goes against the fundamental principles of restoration as it is not reversible. Even in a modest farmhouse, standard procedure is to conceal the wiring by carving the mortar joints and not the limestone slabs,” he said.

While conceding that this particular installation would require some limited puncturing, he insisted the drilling of such large holes could have been avoided by using this technique to hide the cables.

The architects who spoke to this newspaper were reluctant to go on record fearing possible political backlash which might affect their business.

Holes were drilled through the cornices on the facade of Castille to allow electricity cables to pass through, which specialists say breaches restoration principles.

The most notable intrusion in the building are the circular holes up to five centimetres in diameter that puncture various cornices to make space for the wiring system.

But that’s not the only intervention which has come in for heavy criticism. “The decision to opt for a ‘stainless steel towel rail’ structure to light Castille’s façade is a step backward,” the restoration architect said.

“This is also in the wake of the huge efforts made in recent years to get rid of all obtrusive structures obliterating historic buildings.”

Another architect specialised in historic buildings questioned how such a thing could have been allowed to happen, as by law there should be restoration specialist supervising the project.

“Unfortunately this seems to reflect the piecemeal approach adopted for the Castille Square revamp as the illumination is an integral part of any restoration project,” he said.

An internationally renowned lighting designer, who is well acquainted with Malta, echoed the barrage of criticism levelled by the others. “This project is a mistake both in design and concept,” he said, but declined to comment further, saying that it was unethical for him to cast judgement on colleagues.

Regarded as one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in Valletta, the exterior of Castille enjoys the highest degree of protection from the planning authority. It was recently restored in five-year project. In spite of 10 parliamentary questions on the matter in the space of two weeks, the only information offered by the government so far is that Swiss-based company SPLD was consulted on the illumination system.

This project is a travesty. I cannot understand how the planning authority could have allowed such a thing

The project, worth some €300,000, was subsequently entrusted to RVC Limited following a public call.

Replying to a parliamentary question submitted by Opposition MP George Pullicino, Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi last Monday said the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation, together with a number of unnamed stakeholders, had communicated with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage over the project.

While the latter had given its go-ahead on a number of conditions, planning authority representatives were also consulted, the minister said.

However, sources told the Times of Malta that the Restoration Directorate within the Culture Ministry, which had coordinated the Castille restoration, was not consulted at all.

This newspaper also sought to obtain the conditions imposed by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, to verify if these works were in line with its guidelines, but no reply was received.

On his part, the contractor who installed the illumination system said any queries should be addressed to the GHRC.

However, questions sent to both the GHRC and the restoration directorate were not answered by the time of writing.