Francis Zammit Dimech, Minister for Tourism and Culture and Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, chairperson of the Vodafone Foundation, yesterday inaugurated the reopening of the Santa Marija Tower in Comino with

Mrs Mifsud Bonnici hoisting the Din l-Art Helwa flag on the roof of the tower.

“Thanks to the collective work of all those involved, the tower has been saved for future generations,” said Dr Zammit Dimech.

The second phase of the restoration programme was brought to a successful close after work on the interior of the tower was completed, which coincides with the 40th anniversary of Din l-Art Helwa.

The restoration of the tower took four years to complete and was split in two phases.

The first phase entailed works to the exterior of the tower, its roofing and apertures and was concluded two years ago. The second phase focused on the restoration and reconstruction of the tower’s interior.

The podium surrounding the watchtower was rebuilt and the drop-boxes, which were used by the sentries to drop stones on enemy forces were also restored. The ditch around the tower was non-existent when the restoration work started and was recreated.

The tower is 135 feet high and its walls 22 feet deep. Stairs and railings to the roof and to the basement have been made safe, dangerous wiring has been removed and new lighting put in to illuminate the internal walls. Rudimentary toilet facilities were upgraded while general cleaning and repainting have greatly enhanced the interior which was in a badly dilapidated state after many years of use by military and civilian watchmen.

The restoration work was carried out under the supervision of the energetic and dedicated Joe Borg, project manager from Baron Group builders, in close collaboration with the equally energetic and dedicated Hans Nie, a Dutch engineer who resides in Malta. Mr Nie offered his services to Din l-Art Helwa and has dedicated the last five years of his life to restoring the Santa Marija Tower. When he innocently asked if he could help five years ago, little did he know he would end up with such a project.

“The main problems we encountered were the logistics,” said Mr Nie. “Since transportation of materials to the island was so expensive, everything had to be planned very carefully beforehand.”

Mr Borg also explained that certain entrances in the tower were very small and the stones used for reconstruction had to be cut to a certain size in order to pass through.

All the materials had to be transported to Comino by purposely-commissioned vessels. About 500 tons of material, including specially quarried stone from Gozo were transported to Comino over the past five years.

Vandalism was a big problem. Both Mr Borg and Mr Nie urged the Maltese public to enjoy the tower and appreciate the work that had gone into it. “While we were working on the exterior of the tower we would find stones broken the day after they were set, or the bolts of the scaffolding loosened,” said Mr Borg.

“A great effort has been made to restore this tower to its former beauty, and all the Maltese should do their best to preserve it,” said Mr Nie.

Executive president of Din l-Art Helwa, Martin Galea pointed out that the “investment in the fort will reap benefits for many years to come”.

The entire project cost around Lm70,000. The first phase of restoration was completed thanks to a sponsorship of Lm15,000 by the Malta Maritime Authority. Vodafone contributed another Lm24,000 and Din l-Art Helwa raised the rest of the funds needed.

The external floodlighting during the summer months was made possible through funds provided by the Malta Tourism Authority.

The Santa Marija Tower was built in 1618 by Grand Master Adolf de Wignacourt and is the last in the line of defences guarding the channel, from the forts in Gozo to St Agatha’s Tower in Mellieha and the White Tower in Armier. Following the French invasion in 1798, the Tower was used by the Maltese resistance and later by the British. It remained a defensive position but fell into disuse and decay at the end of the 19th century, and until recently the Armed Forces of Malta used it as watchtower.

Those interested in volunteering to man the tower during the summer months can contact Edward Xuereb at Din l-Art Helwa on 2122 0358.