In the October 2013 edition of the monthly leaflet issued by the Floriana Senior Citizens, Salvator Mousu laments the loss of many of Floriana’s historic fountains. Seventeen fountains once embellished the gardens, buildings and public squares of Floriana. Seven were destroyed, leaving no trace of their remains.
Were the exigencies of progress the reason they were carted away to God knows where? Did the vandalism of the German Luftwaffe annihilate them?
Was it the lethargic indifference of politicians that destroyed and built instead an ugly edifice as the one right opposite the main door of the Argotti Botanical Gardens?
Mousu mourns the loss of the oldest fountain that adorned the cortile or terrace of the Ospizio. It consisted of two basins on top of each other, supported by a stone column with a lantern on top. Ironically, it survived World War II and then disappeared. How? Where? When? Why?
A very precious fountain to me as a child was that in the garden known as Tal-Papri. I recall the majestic swans chasing each other in its large, circular basin. What now embellishes its place? Only the monstrosity of a car park with a gaping hole in the middle. The politicians promised rehabilitation. Aged 83, I am still hoping.
The politicians promised rehabilitation. Aged 83, I am still hoping
The greatest moral aberration was the mutilation of the end part of the mall facing Argotti Gardens. Previously, the area was graced by a repeat of the pair of gates that appear at the other end, where the Independence monument now stands. The façade of this architectural design incorporated three rooms: the gardener’s shed and the Berġa, or Government dispensary; between the gates stood the police station, with its characteristic Colonial Blue lantern shedding a dim, macabre light.
After the war, the façade was rebuilt housing instead an infant school perched on stilts; it is still a symbol of extreme ugliness. The building is now an annex of the Education Department.
Previously, inside the mall, instead of the school, was a large fish pond encased by glass (an aquarium). As children, we were mesmerised by the variety of freshwater fish. Our parents relaxed in this shady area with mature, tall trees and evergreen vegetation, knowing that we were safe and sound.
Politicians then cared little about retaining architectural beauty and historical heritage. They pleaded necessity. Of course, the evil they did still lives after them. Dismantling the ancestral patrimony to build instead a makeshift, box-like building on stilts smacked of insanity, or was it dictatorial power that ruled Malta at the time? The question arises once more: What happened to this aquarium?
The people of Floriana had always referred to Sa Maison Garden as Il-Ġnien tal-Milorda, in recognition of Lady Julia Lockwood. She was a generous benefactress of the suburb, but more so of Sa Maison Garden. Emmanuel Tonna wrote that the Colonial Secretary had authorised the military to pull down the lodge, as it was obstructing the firing line from the Valletta bastions.
In 1842, Lady Julia rented the garden at a price. She made the whole garden a fascinating place. In 10 years, she had planted fruit and ornamental trees, installed garden furniture and ornamental embellishments, including fountains and a water reservoir. However, in 1852, the military authorities asked her to vacate the place. She protested in vain.
A dilapidated wall fountain still exists. The massive screw arch, a unique outstanding feature, damaged during the last war, has never been repaired. The lower half of a statue and a plinth with a miniature, four-sided fortress are still dilapidated.
Another relic is a group of three lions holding shields in the middle of a pond. Another pond was a few feet away. This historical garden is exceptionally panoramic. Here I spent much time studying and enjoying its extreme solitude.
However, on a positive note, 10 fountains still exist. The Argotti Botanical Gardens boast four fountains, including one in St Philip’s Garden. Two others are an asset to the mall. The Triton fountain was constructed instead of an ancient pond at street level. The tower opposite Sarria church and the Lion fountain commemorate Wignacourt’s gift of water to Floriana. An unobtrusive fountain adorns the terrace of the Middle Sea offices, previously Montgomery House, originally the market of the Order of St John.
Besides fountains, Floriana has also lost other important buildings. The exigencies of military presence dictated a repeated widening, alterations, destruction and breaches of the fortifications. These included changes in Portes des Bombes, complete demolition of St Anne’s Gate, breaches in the bastions down the road to Sa Maison, Crucifix Hill to the marina and Marsamxett Road to the Excelsior Hotel. The worst interventions were the haphazard building of barracks that obstructed the panorama of Marsamxett Harbour.
On the south side, whoever permitted the construction of the Catholic Institute and the ex-Nato block deserves equal condemnation. Naturally, it is impossible to restore the pristine beauty of these historical sites, as they were so many years ago. Who should shoulder the responsibility for allowing overall deterioration?
At the turn of the 20th century, the military authorities no longer looked after the Sa Maison Garden but Malta was still a British colony.
Encroaching on virgin land for ‘defence’ purposes cost Britain a pittance. The question arises: Did Britain ever make adequate contributions for Malta’s regeneration after World War II?
The War Damage Commission fell short of the reality of the destruction caused by the war. Had any of the successive Maltese governments made good for the ravishes of time and of vandalism?
Unfortunately, the priorities of Maltese governments, especially after Independence, were too many to think of embellishments. Necessity dictated needs.
Now Malta is in Europe, ready to make financial contributions. But who has the onerous job of listing cultural demands? Does it rest on the Ministry of Tourism or on the Floriana council?
The beauty of Malta is a national preoccupation. It does not allow partisan politics. Ancestral patrimony is a historical gem, the pride of the national ethos.
Though nestled in Floriana, all these sites should be considered an asset not merely to the tourist industry but more so as an educational institution.
Things of beauty are a joy forever. Appreciating them is a heavenly gift of pleasure. It is everybody’s duty to preserve them.
Joe Bugeja is author of Reminiscences of Childhood in Floriana.