As part of an international forum commemorating the tricentenary of Sebastien le Prestre Vauban’s death and his influence on the development of the fortifications in Malta during the 18th century, a site visit was made to Fort Manoel. Vauban was a Marshal of France and the foremost military engineer of his age, famed for his skill in both designing fortifications and in breaking through them.

Various internationally acclaimed architects – mostly French and Italian - were shown around Fort Manoel to appreciate the restoration work carried out by aoM on behalf of MIDI, the developers of Tigné Point and Manoel Island.

Leader of the restoration team, restoration architect Alex Torpiano said, “We have been working on the fort for four years and the first phase, which consists of the fort itself, will be finished in 2008. The bastions and the out works will be completed in five years’ time. Fort Manoel is very interesting for the architects who took part in the seminar because although Vauban himself didn’t build it, it was designed on the principles he set down. We are extremely lucky to have this fortification survive in relatively good condition and I look forward to visitors experiencing what this fort looked like when it was constructed in the 18th century.”

Coordinator of the forum, restoration architect Claude Busuttil said, “Fort Manoel is truly a model fort, very similar to those in France and in other French colonies. However, Fort Manoel in particular was most representative of the period and the Vauban school. Many of us are so pleased that after so many years of abandonment and neglect something is being done at last – MIDI has ensured that the fort is being rehabilitated and restored to its former glory.”

MIDI is the consortium carrying out Euro30m (LM12.88m) restoration works as part of the obligation of their lease agreement, in conjunction with aoM and FWA as heritage monitors.