Malta’s oldest standing tower is to benefit from European Regional Development Funds in a new restoration project that is to be implemented by the Malta Tourism Authority, together with Din l-Art Helwa, the heritage NGO that has looked after the tower since 1970 and holds it in guardianship.

This announcement was made by the Minister for Tourism, the Environment and Culture, Dr Mario de Marco at Wignacourt Tower during a visit to the Tower on Thursday, where he was greeted by Simone Mizzi, Executive President of Din l-Art Helwa and volunteers of the organisation, officials of MTA and St Paul’s Bay Mayor, Ms Graziella Galea.

Minister de Marco said that the project for the restoration of Wignacourt Tower, follows the recent completion of the adjacent promenade and is an investment that strengthens the tourism, culture and environment sectors. St Paul’s Bay, Qawra and Bugibba receive 30% of Malta’s tourism and the tower was a focal point and destination for visitors. He commended Din l-Art Helwa for its efforts in strengthening the cultural heritage sector and MTA that will be implementing the ERDF project.

Built by Grandmaster Alof de Wignacourt to strengthen defences on the northern coast, its foundation stone was laid on 10 February 1610 and dedicated to the Apostle Paul. Ms Simone Mizzi said the tower was symbolic not only because it was the oldest coastal defence tower still standing, but it represented the commitment and work done by the organisation during the last 46 years in the protection of built heritage.

It was the first historic site entrusted to the Din l-Art Helwa in 1970, while today the organisation holds 17 national sites in guardianship and has restored 37.

In 1975, when the Council of Europe celebrated the Year of Architectural Heritage, Din l-Art Helwa decided to invest all its funds in restoring Wignacourt Tower and this first restoration was inaugurated on 10th February, 1976. 1994 saw further works on the external walls and, in 1997, the National Tourist Organisation of Malta (now the MTA) provided funds for continued restoration of its interiors and the provision of a small museum.

Dr Stanley Farrugia Randon, Din l-Art Helwa’s long standing warden for Wignacourt Tower, explaining the works planned for the exterior and the roof, said, “Once more, on the occasion of the feast of St. Paul, the Tower which has suffered from exposure to the elements and pollution is to receive generous funds so that with the new scientific methods now in use, the new phase of restoration will give it a new lease of life, preserving it for future generations,”

Photo shows from left a Din l-Art Hewla file photo of the Tower in 1975, an antique print of Wignacourt Tower and the Tower in the present day.

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