Transmitting Malta’s legacy of forts and fortifications through the reuse of an abandoned 16th century warehouse

Abstract

The new Fortifications Interpretation Centre is the new use assigned to the 16th century Hospitaller warehouse in Valletta. The project started out at a time when the main fortifications in Malta, namely those of Valletta, Birgu, Mdina and Cittadella (Gozo) started to be restored under the partly financed European Regional Development Fund (Operational Programme I) by the Restoration Directorate within the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs. The Fortress Builders FIC was a €2,100,000 project undertaken by the same Restoration Directorate and also granted European Union part funding under the same ERDF programme, with a co-funding rate of 85% EU Funds and 15% National Funds. The building was chosen largely for its vast interior spaces and its location which provides direct access to Valletta’s ramparts. The need to transmit to the public that which is Malta’s patrimony of forts and fortifications was met through the rehabilitation of an unused and abandoned building. The centre is hosted in St. Mark’s Street, Valletta on one of the main entry routes into the city providing direct access to Valletta’s ramparts. Its vicinity to St. Andrew’s Bastion places it on an important access route into Valletta and more over, provides direct immediate access to Valletta’s main bastioned enceinte, providing excellent panoramic views of the fortifications inside Marsamxett Harbour, namely Fort Manoel, Fort Tigné and the sea walls along the northern flank of the city itself. The building is a 16th century warehouse adjoining St. Andrew’s Bastion located next to the Marsamxett Gate (no longer standing) which is one of the three main gateways into Valletta. It was built for the storage of merchandise off-loaded from the ships and other vessels berthed in Marsamxett harbour. Its location close to the Falconeria (a building that was used as reserve armoury from the mid-1700s onwards) also suggests some form of military use. The project involved reconstruction works, alteration works, new construction works, interior and exterior restoration works of the masonry building fabric (both walls and floors), restoration of original timber apertures, the installation of new timber apertures, finishing works, the introduction of power generating photovoltaic cells, rainwater collection and reuse, restoration and reuse of original passive ventilation systems, furnishing works, exhibition design and exhibition content formulation – panels, physical models and virtual representations.