An unknown driver has smashed into a historic fount-ain in Valletta, the only remaining structure of the once beautifully decorated Sultan’s Garden, causing another blow to this long-neglected monument.

According to maltastar.com, the incident occurred over a month ago, when a vehicle reversed into the fountain, shattering part of its outermost masonry, but no action has yet been taken to recover the broken stones, or to repair the damage. Instead, the site is in a terrible state of disrepair.

The Sultan’s Garden is an important, yet uncared for part of the history of Valletta. It lies behind ‘Ta’ Liessé Church, next to a block of government apartments. Until the early 1900s, the fountain was part of the Sultan’s Garden. It has also been used as a football ground before it was built up as it is today.

The last Ottoman Sultan, Mehmet VI Vahdettin, who was exiled to Malta for a few months in 1922, visited this garden frequently.

Former President Ugo Mifsud Bonnici inaugurated the restoration of the Sultan’s Garden fountain in the summer of 1987, when he was Education Minister. The restoration had been carried out by students of the Gilormu Cassar School of Architecture.

Since then, the fountain has been neglected, with no indication of its historical importance. Litter is occasionally dumped right next to it, making the whole area look even shabbier.

The open space in front of the fountain is used as a parking lot, and the fountain is hardly ever noticed by anyone, let alone appreciated and well maintained.