The 1614 St Thomas Tower has had the first phase of its rehabilitation completed, with the removal of some 18 skips of rubbish and construction material.

Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna, which is restoring it, said they removed also structural additions which were introduced when the building was used as a restaurant. The first phase was carried out by a private contractor over two weeks.

The next phase will take four weeks, involving

the cleaning-up of the tower’s exterior and the installation of basic services for visitors. The roofs will also be sealed against the rain.

St Thomas Tower was built by Grandmaster Wignacourt, known better for building the aqueduct which conveyed fresh water from Rabat to the capital. The tower, now to serve as a cultural and tourist attraction, was a protection for Marsascala and St Thomas Bay and was transferred to the FWA earlier this month.