The government’s vision of restoring and conserving Malta’s heritage will get a much needed boost in the form of a Lm12 million (Euro30 million) injection of EU structural funds, said Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit while inspecting restoration work at Couvre Porte in Vittoriosa.

The bastions were built by the Knights of St John after they arrived in Malta in 1530. They were repaired following damage sustained during the Great Siege of 1565 and were upgraded in 1715.

Mr Zammit explained that the bastions had suffered considerable damage during the last century, especially during World War II and also because of a lack of maintenance.

The Restoration Section has acquired special platforms to help clean and restore the bastions.

While over two kilometres of bastions have been restored in the last three years, said the Minister, the government will also carry out restoration work on the Mdina, Valletta and Victoria bastions.