The one-of-a-kind mechanical Guthrie Bridge at Fort Rinella in Kalkara will be undergoing a €60,000 restoration project, which once restored will be the only functional example of the bridge in the world.
The project is undertaken by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna and is financed by the Eden Leisure Group, through their Maurice and Cettina De Cesare Foundation and is to be completed by the end of 2020.
The bridge was designed by the British inventor Charles T Guthrie in 1869, designed to be shipped in parts for easy transportation and erection directly on site even using unskilled labour. The bridge consists of two parts; a rolling platform and a counter-weight mechanism supporting the bridge.
The counter-weight mechanism consists of two iron counter weight arms fitted with trucks at their bottom end to slide on wall-mounted rails under the gate. The arms are held by means of two metal cross bars which also act as distance pieces. The two counter-weights are positioned in line with a projecting horizontal spigot on either side of the rolling platform, which they are to catch into when the bridge is balanced on them in the act of retracting or extending.
The rolling platform is rectangular in shape and is built from an iron joint frame covered with heavy wooden planks. The platform has two iron trucks and a spigot on each side.
The Guthrie Bridge remained in use until the 1920s; after that was left to fall apart and was eventually removed.
Mario Farrugia, CEO of Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna said that he was extremely happy and proud to see the project taking place. He said that once the bridge will be restored, the bridge will be the only functional example of a mechanical bridge in the world, and will add great historic and touristic value to Fort Rinella. He said that certain parts of the original bridge were found during archaeological excavations. There was also an exhibition of copies of original plans of the bridge and the only photograph of the bridge taken in the late 1880’s.
Chairman of the Eden Leisure Group Ian De Cesare said that this is the second large heritage project that the Eden Leisure Group have undertaken in the recent past, following the restoration project of the 18th Century Organ at our Lady of Victories in Valletta. “We have set up a foundation specifically to fund such projects, as good cooperate citizens we believe it is our duty to help restore and maintain our culture and heritage and to provide back to our country that has given us so much,” said De Cesare. He explained that the Maurice and Cettina De Cesare Foundation is named after De Cesare’s parents.
The project will take 12 months and all the restoration work will take place in Malta.
