The historic Westreme Battery in Mellieha Bay, more commonly known as “it-Tunnara”, is set to become an interesting landmark.
Work is currently being carried out to prepare the 18th century battery to host a
permanent folklore exhibition, mainly featuring historic details of the traditional tuna industry in the area.
The project, sponsored in part by Bank of Valletta, is being coordinated by the ART Club 2000, a Mellieha-based club aimed at educating and promoting arts and crafts through various cultural initiatives in Mellieha. It is expected that the project will be completed by next summer. The project has also been substantially supported by Mellieha local council, who entrusted ART Club 2000 with the restoration of this historic landmark and its immediate surroundings.
Westreme Battery was built in 1715. It has a semi-circular design and the embrasures on the parapet are positioned to face the entrance of Mellieha Bay. The blockhouse at the rear of the battery also served as a redan. During World War II the blockhouse was turned into a beach post and today is the only remaining part of the battery – known among the locals as it-Tunnara.
Bank of Valletta Mellieha branch manager George Cassar White praised ART Club 2000 for its work in the Mellieha area.
“We are extremely glad to be associated with this initiative, which is set to revive this historic landmark in Mellieha. Our support for this initiative forms part of the bank’s Community Programme for this year and is in line with our commitment to support the preservation of Malta’s rich cultural heritage. It also underlines our resolve to play an active role in the communities in which we operate,” he said. ART CLUB 2000 president Twanny Darmanin said: “We are keen to complete this project, which will enhance the attractions around Mellieha and will also serve as a learning opportunity for all those who would like to get a closer look at the unique way of life of our ancestors.”
He added: “The tuna industry and the tunnara, as they are more popularly known, played a very important role in the daily life of the community in Mellieha and this project is expected to highlight the many different activities that are directly linked to this traditional industry.”
Mr Darmanin said that they had already managed to assemble a wide variety of interesting objects such as old anchors, old fishing tools, equipment for the storage of fish, scale models of fishing boats, charts and photo-graphs.
“All these are currently being catalogued and organised for exhibition and we envisage that the whole project will be ready and launched before the summer of next year,” he concluded.