Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg and Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government José Herrera inaugurated an investment of €100,000 in joint work between Infrastructure Malta and Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna to restore the paving of the Saluting Battery at the Upper Barrakka Gardens as it was when the Knights of St John built it in the 16th century.
Minister Ian Borg said that, “We are constantly investing in these kinds of works because as a government we believe and above all embrace that sense of need to preserve what was left to us by our forefathers. Such places make up part of us, part of our identity and the history of our country and therefore with confidence, I stress that this is a government that respects its country’s heritage and we are committed to continue investing in these types of restoration and preservation works and projects so that future generations inherit Malta in the best condition possible. ”
This intervention was carried out because water from the lawn’s irrigation was seeping into the bastions beneath and flooding the underlying Lascaris War Rooms, one of the most important sites of Malta’s World War II history, causing extensive damages to its structure and military relics.
Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna designed the new paving of the Saluting Battery in the same style found in other fortifications of the Knights of St John and of the British Period, while Infrastructure Malta laid the new paving slabs. The flagstones were cut and laid to form a concentric pattern converging towards two central points in the middle of the platform. Infrastructure Malta also cleaned and pointed older paving that surrounded the two lawns to match the new slabs. Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna will now embellish the area with potted trees and plants that do not risk causing further water damage to the bastions and the war rooms beneath.
Minister José Herrera stated that the investment we are making in our national heritage as a government is necessary for our country not only to continue to appreciate and protect our heritage but to ensure that we are offering greater value to our identity as a nation. It is positive that as a government we are increasingly continuing to carry out projects together with key partners in this field, projects that reflect the commitment and dedication of these partners.
In another similar collaboration, last year Infrastructure Malta planted over 1,100 trees at the grounds of Fort Rinella, in Kalkara, another historical site under the care of Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna. These trees will eventually form part of a family eco-park. The two organisations are planning several other joint projects to continue preserving Malta’s cultural heritage in the coming years.
