The newly restored Greeks Gate at Mdina was yesterday visited by Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit.

The gate was restored by the Restoration Unit of the Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure. The work was initiated by the Mdina Rehabilitation Committee and was co-financed by the Malta Tourism Authority.

The gate earned its name from having once served the small Greek population living in Mdina's southwest quarter.

The restoration included cleaning, the removal of vegetation from the roof and the consolidation of the decorative elements of the gate. The work cost Lm15,000 and started in January.

MRC chairman Denis de Lucca said the project formed part of the committee's programme to upgrade the external appearance of the walled city.

Following the upgrading of the adjacent car park and the drawing up of plans for the embellishment of Howard Garden and the ditch, the MRC focused its attention on the restoration of the two gates of the city, designed in the early 18th century by French military engineer Charles Francois de Mondion.

Mr Zammit said the work was to be followed by the restoration of the main gate of Mdina, one of the most important baroque monuments in Malta, built in 1724. The permits for this restoration have already been issued.

Works were carried out by the Restoration Unit in collaboration with Sider-Iteras of Italy, who for the past years have been assisting in various restoration works.

Mr Zammit said students from the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology vocational school also took part in the project.

He said that works on the paving project of Mdina were due to commence in September as the tenders for the project had already been adjudicated. These works were expected to cost Lm500,000.