Having completed the restoration of a stretch of the Victoria Lines corresponding to the length of Ġnien l-Għarusa tal-Mosta (Tarġa Gap), the Restoration Directorate, within the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government is now undertaking restoration works on the continuation of these fortified walls at Għargħur (in the area popularly referred to as Top of the World).  

Built by the British military in the late 19th century, the Victoria Lines are a complex network of linear fortifications that span across 12 kilometres, from Madliena to Fomm ir-Riħ.

Over the past months, the Restoration Directorate also carried out emergency repair/restoration works on two smaller stretches of the Victoria Lines at Binġemma, which stretches either were at risk of collapsing or had just collapsed.  

Works at Għargħur will mainly follow the intervention methodologies adopted over the past months at Mosta.  They shall in fact aim at addressing the most critical situations such as the consolidation of unstable areas, the reinstatement of clearly defined lacunas, the dismantling of visually intrusive repairs and their reconstruction in line with approved restoration practices. Details that can assist in the interpretation of the original setup of the entrenchment and parapet walls, such as, for example, the pointing of the uppermost original course wherever this is still in place, will also be executed. As far as is feasible, throughout the reinstatement and reconstruction interventions stone blocks which formed part of the original building setup shall be used. As was the case in Mosta, even at Għargħur, all attempts will in fact be made to collect loose stone blocks, forming part of the original construction, from the underlying garigue/ valley onto which they have collapsed through the years. 

At Għargħur this intervention is rendered particularly difficult because of the considerable heights involved.  

To assist its employees in this hoisting operation, the Restoration Directorate has specifically acquired a mini-excavator.  Extensively long stretches of lacunas will, on the other hand, be re-built using new stonework similar in size and configuration to the original stone blocks.

Visiting the works, Justice and Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said: “This ongoing Restoration Directorate project will see to the restoration of these fortifications which are truly one of a kind in our country. In their purpose, ensemble of different elements, method of construction, and setting they represent a unique monument of local military architecture. Our strategy as a Government is to keep on strengthening our local heritage for everyone to appreciate and have access to.”