Restoration Report - Stanley Farrugia Randon

Restoration Report

stanley farrugia randon

u Delimara Lighthouse

Maintenance work is being carried out on the lantern and lighting mechanism of the lighthouse. Twelve years have passed since it was last restored, and some water was percolating through various parts of the housing of the lighting mechanism. These parts had to be sealed and the mechanism was restored.

The Delimara Lighthouse mechanism.

u Torri Mamo

Din l-Art Ħelwa has been granted 10,000 euros by the GalXlokk Foundation, to be spent on the restoration of the external façades of Torri Mamo. An application to the Planning Authority was submitted, to change stones which are deteriorating and in some parts even falling off. Part of the rubble wall surrounding the ditch at Torri Mamo also required rebuilding.

u Għallis Tower

This is one of the thirteen towers built during the reign of Grand Master De Rohan. Unfortunately it is no longer a prominent feature on the coastroad from Salini to Baħar-iċ-Ċagħaq since a high wall was erected along parts of the road in recent years. In 2017 Din l-Art Ħelwa applied to the Planning Authority for the restoration of the external walls of Għallis Tower and the necessary permit has now been granted. Restoration will include pointing of the walls and the changing of some stones. Din l-Art Ħelwa has applied to GalMajjistral for funding to assist with this project.

Stone damage at Torri Mamo.

Stone damage at Għallis tower.

u White Tower Battery

Asponsorship from Malta Tourism Authority has enabled Din l-Art Ħelwa to restore the 1715 battery which was constructed to accommodate ten 12-pounder cannons. The tower was funded by Grand Master Martino De Redin in 1658, and was armed with two 5-pounder guns.

Works started in June 2020 and 50 capping stones which were missing or broken were changed to similar pieces of coralline limestone which were purposely cut in Gozo. Overgrowth flourishing on the wall had to be removed as this was further damaging the structure. Most of the low-lying parapet wall, from where the cannons were fired, had lost its surface and this had to be meticulously restored by replacing rubble stones found in the immediate vicinity and binding them with a mixture of lime and sand. Small parts of the surface of this wall were still intact and it was possible to replicate these parts to re-create a uniform surface.

Other works funded by the Malta Tourism Authority included replacing part of the flooring around the tower, where illegal structures had been removed leaving a very irregular area which was dangerous to walk on. Amenities from the tower to the ditch room as well as drains towards the cesspit were passed. The cesspit was constructed in 1919 when the tower was used by the British Naval Authorities when it utilised the tower as a Hydrophone Station school.

The inauguration of the restoration of the battery was held on 22 March 2021, and was attended by the Minister for Tourism and Consumer Protection, Mr Clayton Bartolo.

Restoring the upper part of the battery wall at the White Tower at l-Aħrax tal-Mellieħa.

u The medieval

chapel of San Ċir

Architect Nadia Martinelli generously offered Din l-Art Ħelwa her professional services in the drafting of an application to the authorities to restore this medieval chapel. Din l-Art Ħelwa is now waiting for this property to be transferred to its management under the Guardianship Deed Act.

Procedures with different government entities change continuously and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has formally requested that the chapel is transferred from the Lands Authority to them. In this way, the Superintendence can then transfer the property to Din l-Art Ħelwa, which has been expressing its interest to restore this site for the past 15 years during which the condition of the chapel deteriorated further. Din l-Art Ħelwa has already been granted a permit from the Planning Authority to start works.

The medieval chapels of the Annunciation at Ħal Millieri and the chapel of Bir Miftuħ, adorned with its unique medieval frescoes, are among the most important gems entrusted to Din l-Art Ħelwa. Although the association does not receive much income from donations and entrance fees, the chapels and their immediate environs require regular restoration and maintenance. The recently changed metal gate and cover of the well of the Annunciation chapel have weathered beautifully and were painted. Also, during a recent storm, part of the rubble wall adjacent to the pathway leading to this chapel collapsed and was rebuilt. The wooden sign of Bir Miftuħ was also restored.

u Vandalism at the Red Tower

Part of the staircase leading to the Red Tower was vandalised. Member of Parliament the Hon. Robert Cutajar offered his prompt help and sent a builder to repair it. The stone structure of a well at the White Tower was also vandalised and will have to be repaired.