The Kottonera Foundation has launched a programme of restoration works, which include 25 historical sites found across the Kottonera area.
The programme is an €8 million investment, which according to Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Jose Herrera is an investment to rehabilitate the South.
“We want to rehabilitate the South, a place of tremendous historical value, historical value which can bring potential tourist attraction,” said the National Heritage Minister.
Herrera was speaking on Friday outside the Church of St Barbara (tal-Kapuccini) in Kalkara. The Church’s tower had also undergone a phase of restoration, to restore the dials on the tower’s clocks and the red banner around the clocks.
Herrera emphasised that under his portfolio as Culture Minister he will ensure that history and the environment are given their due importance.
Glenn Bedingfield, the executive coordinator of the Cottonera Rehabilitation Committee, highlighted that the 25 restoration projects will begin this year and continue into 2021. “I am satisfied to see so many restoration projects doing so well. Kottonera was given to us by our forefathers and it is our responsibility to ensure that the Kottonera of tomorrow is better than the Kottonera of today.”
The 25 restoration projects are listed below:
Senglea:
St Philip's church - dome and belfry
Restoration of La Vincitrice Band Club
Restoration of Statues
Remove danger in Triq is-Sur down to Boiler wharf
Porto Salvo Gate
Senglea Parish church - roof Behind Pediment
Cospicua:
Restoration of Windmill San Gwann T'ghuxa
Restoration of Xatt ir-Risq historic wall
Restoration of Windmill Santa Margherita
Underground Nativity Chapel
St Paul's church - Dome and Lantern
Convent of cloister Nuns
St Tereza church
Timber Lantern Verdala School
St John Bastion - Cottonera Lines
St John Almonier - St Margerita Lines
Stores - San Gwann t'ghuxa
St Helen's Curtain - St Margerita Lines
Vittoriosa
Stepped wing St Margerita Lines
Restoration of courtyard - Auberge de France
St Lawrence Statue, Birgu
Notre Dame Gate - top part
Auberge d'Angleterre
Kalkara
Restoration of Various Niches
Ricasoli
Various Phases of Bastions and Casemates