St Mark’s Bell Tower In Rabat Restored After 115 Years

As the locality of Rabat and the Augustinian Church of St Mark prepare for the feast of Our Lady of the Girdle, the Public Works Department has completed the restoration of the church’s bell tower, originally built in 1910.

After 115 years, the tower has now been carefully restored to regain its rich and splendid appearance.

During a site visit, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Works, Omar Farrugia, had the opportunity to observe the extensive works carried out on the tower.

The bell tower forms part of the Augustinian Convent and is known among Rabat residents as “il-Kampnar tas-Sultan” due to its commanding position overlooking the area.

Parliamentary Secretary Farrugia emphasised that the Department not only restored the tower but also ensured that the works respected its original design and aesthetics. He noted that although the project had initially been scheduled for completion in December, it was finalised earlier just in time for the feast of Our Lady of the Girdle allowing residents and visitors to enjoy it during this festive period.

From his side, Fr Raphael Abdilla of the Augustinian Convent expressed gratitude towards the Public Works Department for its diligent efforts. He stressed that the bell tower holds significant importance for the people of Rabat as well as for visitors to the locality.

Rabat Mayor Sandro Craus described the project as an important achievement for the community, adding that it was satisfying to see this long-held aspiration finally realised.

Director General Perit Nadia Curmi explained that, in addition to restoration works, a new low-energy lighting system was installed to highlight the tower’s architectural beauty, along with protective systems to safeguard the structure against storms and lightning.

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