Restoration Completed On The Curtain Wall Of St Nicholas Dividing Bormla And Fgura

The restoration of the Curtain Wall of St Nicholas, which forms part of the Cottonera Lines, has been completed. This wall separates the localities of Bormla and Fgura. It is situated between the Bastion of St Nicholas and that of St John, forming part of the Cottonera fortifications designed by Antonio Maurizio Valperga during the time of the Order of the Knights of St John.

Minister for Culture, the Arts and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, together with the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Alison Zerafa Civelli, announced the completion of these works, which were carried out with an investment of €650,000.

Works on the wall began in November 2023 and were completed earlier this year. Altogether, these restoration efforts cover an area of over 4,500 square metres of fortifications.

Minister Owen Bonnici stated, “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 to increase appreciation for our country’s heritage. Through this restoration project, we are adding greater value to this historic site, enabling it to be enjoyed in the long term by both the public and tourists.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli remarked that this restoration is a demonstration of the ongoing work to protect and preserve our identity, as well as to elevate the cultural value of our localities. She also praised the employees of the Directorate for Restoration and Preservation for their high-quality work.

“The Local Councils of Fgura and Bormla, together with the Cottonera Foundation and the residents of these localities, are very grateful for these works, which form an important part of our historic and cultural heritage,” concluded Parliamentary Secretary Zerafa Civelli.

The restoration works involved cleaning, re-pointing, replacement of deteriorated stone, and restoration of the wall and parapet, as well as restoration of the superior slope. The works also included consolidation of fragile stone areas and other conservation efforts on the stone from which this wall is constructed.

Present at the announcement were also the Chairman of the Cottonera Foundation, Joe Mizzi, and members of the Local Councils of Fgura and Bormla.

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