Historic Fort St Elmo, in Valletta, will soon be enjoyed by the public as renovation and restoration works inch closer to completion.
President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and Infrastructure Ministry Joe Mizzi toured the gem, enjoying stunning views and the historical details they were given.
Within the precincts of the fort is an old chapel, better known as Del Soccorso, which has been in existence since 1488.
It was rededicated to St Anne in the mid-16th century and is embellished with ornate stone carvings dating to the 17th century.
Another church, also dedicated to St Anne and which has an early 18th century baroque façade, was desecrated during the British period and its interior was completely remodelled. It overlooks the renovated Piazza d’Armi (upper parade ground).
Within the bastion walls, historians had located the burial place of Sir Ralph Abercrombie, a contemporary of Lord Nelson.
More recently, the foundations of a windmill were uncovered and will now be studied.
The €15.5 million project, being implemented by the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation in collaboration with Heritage Malta, is largely funded by the European Regional Development Fund, which is footing 85 per cent of the costs.
The National War Museum has been dismantled and will be incorporated into the new Military History Museum, which will take visitors back to prehistory. It will be spread across different buildings within the fort, each representing a particular historical period.
A 700-metre walk along the bastions will start from next to the Sacra Infermeria through to the war museum.
It provides stunning views of Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour.
Ms Coleiro Preca said she would be encouraging people to visit the fort once completed.
She took the opportunity to urge people to donate to the Malta Community Chest Fund, which provides funds for people suffering from severe chronic disease and cancer.
“By 2020, the incidence of cancer will increase by 50 per cent. The number of applicants is always on the rise.
“Cancer is unforgiving, one day it could be me and the next it could be you. Please think of each other to help these people gain a better quality of life.”