Comment

Comment by Elizabeth Aquilina on December 10, 2012 at 8:53am

Yet another restoration project for the City, and one that will perhaps be a catalyst for improvement at the lower end of Valletta.  As you may know, the footprint at St. Elmo is approximately 1/3 of Valletta and this restoration project will cover around half of that area.  The other half (on the Marsamxetto side) will not be restored.  In my opinion, there are a number of opportunities here.  To mention one, an international University with a particular specialisation (such as Maritime Research/Law).  Having a university in Valletta would benefit the city in many ways.  A business opportunity for old, dilepidated propertie, such as tenements (kerreja) to be changed into students or academics bedsits.  Students are there for the longer term than holiday visitors, they will purchase their needs and actually live there thereby increasing the population without having too much impact on the area's sustainablity (hopefully less personal cars).  They will revive the city in the evening, and give the place more life. 

 

This is just my idea.. would love to hear more for this forum.

 

 

Comment by Stephanie Mifsud on December 7, 2012 at 12:18pm

Public lecture by Mr. Denis Darmanin - GRAFFITI AT LOWER ST.ELMO

When:- January 10, 2013 at 18.00 - 19.30

Where:- Din L-Art Helwa, Melita Street, Valletta

Comment by Michael Buhagiar on August 9, 2012 at 7:13am

Kayaking in aid of Wied il Ghasel. See link below:

https://www.facebook.com/events/168922293232539/

Comment by Brian Psaila on July 22, 2012 at 1:37pm

The Grade 1 fort, built in the shape of a four-pointed star, will be restored with minimum intervention on the walls and structure.

Works will include cleaning, dismantling and rebuilding dangerous roofs; unblocking apertures; stone repair and replacement; plant disinfestations and the removal of renders, plasters and paint work.

The restoration of the fort and its use were the subject of a government development brief approved last December to “restore, regenerate and rehabilitate” Fort St Elmo into a cultural and tourist attraction to lure visitors and economic activity to the lower end of Valletta.

Restoration works will start next month and will not affect the running of the old Police Academy, which is based there. Once this academic year is over, police cadets will continue their training at the new academy that is being built at Ta’ Kandja.

The restoration is expected to be completed by March 2014, after which works on the planned military museums within the fort will start. This should be ready by the end of 2014.

With more than 58,000 people visiting the War Museum and 150,000 visitors to the Malta Experience in 2010, the military museums in the fort are expected to attract about 79,000 in 2015 and 120,000 in 2018.

Once the restoration project is completed, the fort will be handed over to Heritage Malta, which will have guardianship of this historical gem.

Comment by David Stewart Paterson on July 5, 2012 at 10:50pm

what will be the stated target and dates of the income to be generated to repay the tax payers?

e.g. We will aim to have 2,000 visitors spending/donating  an average of 3 euros per person per week in high season, per month in shoulder season, per 6 weeeks in low season. We committ to be open 364 days per year and be staffed by unpaid volunteers, who will receive the following benefits..etc

What are your suggestions for such a contract with the people?

Comment by David Stewart Paterson on July 5, 2012 at 3:07pm

ask polliguano for funding and st.augustineofthe gatewaystogozoandguvaerialsurveys

Comment by Marianna Galea Xuereb on July 5, 2012 at 3:02pm

I believe there is a method of X-raying rocks, walls, terrain etc. that might help shed light on this project.

Comment by Stephanie Mifsud on July 5, 2012 at 12:39pm

Thursday, July 5, 2012, 12:43 - Times of Malta

Experts examine remains of original Fort St Elmo wall

Experts are examining the remains of an old wall which could possibly have formed part of the original Fort St Elmo before the Great Siege.

The discovery was made late last month during restoration works on the upper part of the fort.

Historian Stephen Spiteri said that during the restoration works, a stone came loose and workers then discovered the remains of an ancient wall behind it. Further excavation will be necessary, but it could be that the wall led to a tunnel to Grand Harbour from where men and material were smuggled when the fort was besieged during the Great Siege of 1565.

Architect Ray Demicoli said the wall went down to the rock and indicated how deep the original ditch was.

The wall is believed to have been built in 1552.Other remains of the original fort exist and form part of the present structure.

Dr Spiteri said experts had long suspected that remains of the original fort still remained and a trench was dug some time ago just a few metres away from where the old wall was found. However no new remains were found.

Minister Austin Gatt, who visited Fort St Elmo this morning, said that in view of the importance of this discovery and the need for further excavations, completion of restoration of the upper part of Fort St Elmo may extend beyond the end of 2014.