Restoration Of St Nicholas’ Fortifications Completed As Part Of The Cottonera Bastions
The restoration of the St Nicholas’ fortifications, which separate Bormla and Fgura, has been completed. This section of the fortifications lies between the St Nicholas and St John bastions and forms part of the Cottonera Bastions, designed by Antonio Maurizio Valperga during the time of the Order of St John.
The Minister for Culture, the Arts and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Alison Zerafa Civelli, announced the completion of the restoration works, which were carried out with an investment of €650,000.
The restoration work began in November 2023 and was completed earlier this year, covering an area of over 4,500 square metres of the fortifications.
Minister Bonnici explained, “Thanks to initiatives like these, we continue to enhance the value of our national heritage, a heritage that shapes our identity as a people.”
“This restoration aligns with our cultural strategy, increasing appreciation for our country’s heritage. Through this project, we’re giving greater value to this historic site, which will now be enjoyed for years to come by both the public and tourists,” Minister Bonnici concluded.
Parliamentary Secretary Alison Zerafa Civelli stated that the restoration demonstrates the ongoing work to protect and preserve our identity, as well as raise the cultural value of our localities.
The restoration works included cleaning, re-pointing the walls, plastic repairs to the stone, replacement of deteriorated stone and restoration of the fortifications and parapet, as well as the superior slope. The project also involved the consolidation of fragile areas of the stone and other conservation works to preserve the structure of the fortifications.
Also present at the announcement were Mr. Joe Mizzi, Chairman of the Kottonera Foundation, and members of the Fgura and Bormla Local Councils.