The so-called Marina Curtain in Valletta is currently being restored under the supervision of the Restoration Directorate. It forms part of Valletta’s original enceinte designed by Francesco Laparelli in 1566.
This was announced during a press conference by Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici, whereby he explained that the works are being carried out with an investment of €330,000 and cover circa 3000m2 of bastions. The restoration process started in October 2022 and will be concluded this year.
Minister Owen Bonnici stated that such initiatives are serving as an opportunity to protect our national heritage, that shapes our identity as a people. “These restoration works fulfil our cultural strategy in a way that our heritage is more accessible, and we are bringing back a historical site that can be admired also by the general public and tourists,” stated Minister Bonnici.
Senior Architect Chanelle Busuttil from the Restoration Directorate explained how the restoration works currently being carried out consist of cleaning, repointing and repair of the stone fabric and of the upper parapet wall. She continued that the consolidation works can be categorised in three main interventions: the replacement of the missing stone cladding, the repair of the remaining existing stone cladding and the rock consolidation through rock bolting and shotcrete.
Source: Office of the Prime Minister