Floriana council to push for railway tunnel to be open daily

The Floriana council will be looking into ways to open up the underground railway tunnel to the public, mayor Davina Sammut Hili has confirmed.

The 900-metre tunnel, which covers the distance from what is today the Parliament building, in Valletta, and Portes des Bombes, in Floriana, attracted hundreds of visitors yesterday when it was opened up as part of the locality’s annual Ġenna ta’ Ġonna event.

The mayor told the Times of Malta that the number of people who showed up for the seventh edition of the popular event was the highest in years.

“The turnout should serve as proof that the tunnel will one day be turned into a daily attraction which tourists and locals can enjoy.

“That is why I feel that we can go to the central government to discuss the matter and as mayor I want to push for this to happen,” Ms Sammut Hili said.

The turnout should serve as proof

Today in a dilapitated state, the tunnel was used by the train known as Vapur tal-Art between 1881 to 1931. Later, during World War II, it served as a shelter.

In its seventh year, the event allowed visitors to access a number of sites and buildings that are not usually open to the public.

Gardens like the Sa Maison Garden and St Philip’s Garden, which are tucked in between the bastion walls, were also among the attractions.

This year, original documents dating back to the Knights’ period, kept at the Capuchin’s Friars library and mummified friars in the same convent, were also on display.

A vintage bus, led by a tour guide, drove visitors around Floriana’s heritage sites while the University of Malta and Friends of the Earth led botanic tours.

The event was organised by the Floriana local council in collaboration with 40 other entities.