The re-paving works on the great Piazza d’Armi in Fort Manoel is half-way done. When that is completed, Midi will hold an Open Day so that the public can see what restoration works have been done on the fort.

Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco was yesterday taken around by Midi chairman Albert Mizzi and CEO Ben Muscat.

They could see that the ravages of war (a bomb had destroyed half of the baroque church and the nearby halls) and of neglect are being removed.

The church is now complete, even with its small cupola (lanterna) which is being finished. Inside the fine carvings have been put back in their original place.

When completed, Piazza d’Armi will offer a unique location for outdoor concerts and the like, sloping slightly downwards and facing the immensely beautiful Valletta panorama.

At the bottom, stairs lead down to what used to be the Royal Malta Yacht Club which is being restored to its original stone walls, leading out to the Couvre Point with Marsamxett Harbour all around.

Mr Mizzi said e8.1 million have been spent so far in the restoration of the fort and e5.8 million more will be spent in the coming years. In all, Midi will be spending e70 million on the restoration of Tigné and of the whole Manoel Island.

The Tigné-Manoel Island deal was concluded after seven years in negotiations with three different administrations and passed by Parliament with no division asked for.

Dr de Marco said MTA estimates that 14 per cent of all tourists to Malta come for Malta’s heritage and culture. World-wide 19 per cent of tourists seek culture and heritage. Developing Malta’s cultural offering can help tourism fill the shoulder months. Malta is then so small that people can, for example, visit museums or temples in the morning and spend the afternoon swimming.