A 900-metre-long underground railway tunnel, which extends from below the new parliament building to Porte des Bombes, was the main attraction at a public event in Floriana yesterday.

The tunnel was used by the train, known as vapur tal-art, between 1881 and 1931. Later during the war, it served as a shelter. Today, it is in a dilapidated state, with debris and unused plumbing materials taking up most of the space.

Many of the hundreds of people who attended the annual Ġnien ta’ Ġonna at Floriana, during which attractions usually closed to the public are open, had never entered the tunnel and were eager to learn more about its history.

Maria Anthea Attard, 22, who came equipped with a torch, said she wanted to explore every corner of the tunnel.

“To be honest, I had no idea this existed until today and so it’s all very interesting,” she said.

It’s it a pity that such a place is not maintained better

Other visitors said they were disappointed that there was so much litter in the tunnel.

“It’s a pity that such a place is not maintained better. There is rubbish everywhere, especially leftover plumbing materials. It’s a shame seeing such waste alongside remains of the railway,” first-time visitor Francis Gregory said.

Paul Galea, a member of the Malta Railway Foundation who conducted tours of the tunnel every hour, said visitors were eager to learn more about the train station and many had turned up for the guided tours with questions.

Councillor James Aaron Ellul said the local council was very satisfied with the number of visitors who turned up for the event.

Those who went round to the different attractions had the unique opportunity to see Floriana from a different perspective, he said.

Among the attractions open for viewing were the embalmed remains of friars at the Capuchins’ church and convent, one of the granaries, the bell towers at St Publius parish church and the Argotti botanical gardens.

The Police and Crime Museum at the Police General Headquarters were also open to the public.

However, the wartime emergency underground operating theatre, also at the GHQ, had to be closed off at the last minute because of “unforeseen circumstances”, the police said without elaborating.