The St Michael’s Counterguard, a massive three-tiered artillery platform in Valletta, will be open to the public this weekend.

It is a fortification currently being restored as part of a project co-funded by the European Union.

One of the aims of the project is to recuperate large areas of the fortifications which have been inaccessible to the public.

St Michael’s Counterguard has managed to retain its shroud of exclusive obscurity throughout most of the 19th and 20th centuries largely because, situated along the western Marsamxett side of the Valletta enceinte, it lies off the beaten track and access to it has always been difficult and restricted.

Other fortifications in Valletta that will be recuperated and made accessible to the public as part of the project are – St Andrew’s tenaille and ditch, the piazza basse and sally-ports in St Michael, St John’s and St James’ bastions, and the two piazza basse in St Andrew’s bastion.

The project also involves the restoration of fortifications in Vittoriosa, Mdina nad the Gozo Citadel. It will cost some €36 million.

Tours will be held between 10am and 5pm.