Letters | Sunday, 07 June 2009

PRINT THIS ARTICLE

A fortification worthy of French interest

Anyone familiar with the area around Mgarr Harbour in Gozo would realise that the low wall, battery fortification built amidst the fields in the approaches to Mgarr Harbout sits in an area closer to the confines of Ghajnsielem than they are to Qala.
Moreover, atop Mgarr harbour is the quaint Church of St Anthony run by the Ta’ Giesu friars, which fostered and still fosters devotion to this popular saint after whom this defensive maritime wall was named. This St Anthony, Mgarr harbour approaches Knights-era battery is falling to pieces, and has acquired an almost perfect camouflage through weather colouring and man’s dereliction.
This fortification was built on the design of the French architect Charles Francois Mondion and constructed between 1731 and 1732. May one hope that apart from some local State agency, the French embassy might also show an interest in this battery’s rehabilitation?
I would like to float the suggestion that the next time a Gozitan weekend of activities is planned, the detailed event programme might be profitably farmed out to one or other advertising firms with the proceeds going to some heritage restoring NGO such as Wirt Ghawdex.

G. Bonett
Ghajnsielem

Any comments?
If you wish your comments to be published in our Letters pages please click button below.
Please write a contact number and a postal address where you may be contacted.

All the interviews from Reporter on MaltaToday's YouTube channel.

EDITORIAL


Tremors of unease

INTERVIEW