After it was damaged by a Royal Air Force crane 70 years ago, the MEPA has given the green light for the rebuilding of a replica of the arch of Wignacourt.

During a press conference, Resources Minister George Pullicino said that the arch would serve as a monument for Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt who paid for the aqueduct used to carry water from Rabat to Valletta in 1615. The arch would also honour Bontadino de Bontadini, the Dominican engineer, who built the 15 -kilometre Wignacourt Aqueduct and the 600-strong Maltese workforce working on the project for five years. He explained that the rebuilding of the Fleur-de-Lys arch would finally complete the restoration of the aqueduct.

“We started off with the restoration of the Saqqajja Hill fountain which was connected to canals and other springs which formed part of the aqueduct built by Grand Master Wignacourt to take water to Valletta. This is a minor project at the heart of the community which will enhance the sense of community in this particular area,” he added.

Minister George Pullicino stressed that during this legislature together with the restoration of the fortifications, the government has undertaken 60 projects of restoration in the villages, chapels and 30 projects in Valletta.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said that “it was good news not only for the nearby residents for all those who have the culture and the history of Malta at heart. With an investment of €280,000 which partly financed by Bank of Valletta and the rest through Good Causes fund”

He added that “in the past 5 years, we witnessed an unprecedented investment on the national heritage. A never-ending list, starting with projects on a large-scale such the Valletta fortification as well as a number of minor projects that went to embellish various localities. This arch is situated in a strategic point on a number of routes and this will continue to enhance the Maltese architectural richness”.

The BOV CEO Charles Borg said: “The Bank is proud to be associated with a project that will embellish the area from where it operates. We appreciate the symbolism behind this arch that formed part of the aqueduct that provided water to the capital city. Likewise, the Bank is helping its clients to flourish by providing the cash that will make their dreams come true, be it personal or for their businesses.

The Bank believes that it should continue to work closely to its community on various levels because they are the people who form the community which is the foundation of the Bank. Every important company has had a direct impact on its surroundings and we believed this impact can be diminished by helping out in positive projects like these.”