Din l-Art Ħelwa Offers €2.5 Million To Take Over Fort Tigné Lease

Heritage NGO Din l-Art Ħelwa has put forward an offer to match the €2.5 million agreed between investment group MIDI and developer Joseph Portelli for the transfer of the lease of Fort Tigné, proposing instead to take over the historic site and manage it in the public interest.

MIDI recently announced that it had entered into a promise of sale with Portelli’s company, J Portelli Projects Ltd, which would see the developer acquire the remaining 75-year lease and redevelop the fort into a hotel.

In a statement issued this week, Din l-Art Ħelwa said it had written to Prime Minister Robert Abela with what it described as a concrete and financially viable proposal to safeguard Fort Tigné, but had not yet received a reply. The organisation said its intention is to preserve, restore and repurpose the site solely for cultural, educational and community use, ensuring public access.

The NGO warned that commercial redevelopment would result in permanent damage to Malta’s cultural heritage, arguing that the proposed transfer contradicts the State’s constitutional responsibilities and international commitments. It also highlighted that Fort Tigné is included on Malta’s UNESCO Tentative List, placing it among sites considered for future World Heritage nomination.

Din l-Art Ħelwa said it is prepared to raise the necessary funds to secure the fort, reiterating its position that the site should remain protected for present and future generations.

#MaltaDaily