A group of climbers stumbled on a hidden part of Malta’s military history when they found a rock-cut staircase to the Victoria Lines concealed behind weeds and vegetation.

The discovery was made by the Malta Rock Climbing Club in Wied il-Għasel, Mosta.

Buried under weeds, grass and rubble from a nearby quarry, the staircase – hewn out of stone – links the bottom of the valley to the excavated site.

Together with employees of the Rural Affairs Ministry, 15 climbers toiled away for a day, cleaning the stairs of rubble and greenery. Club president Andrew Warrington pointed out that an important part of Malta’s military heritage had been saved and the staircase would improve access to climbers visiting the area.

The Victoria Lines wall, a major feat of engineering in its time, was built by the British between 1870 and 1899 as a first line of defence.

It crosses several valleys, descending steeply down the sides, posing a challenge to the builders to make it possible for soldiers to travel quickly along the Lines.

Wide staircases, sometimes carved out of the rock, were built along the defensive wall to solve this problem.