Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

A planning commission has approved the restoration of the upper part of the historic Fort St Angelo in Vittoriosa.

The buildings date back to various periods ranging from the medieval era to the 19th century and are in “varying states of preservation,” the case report said.

The restoration on the upper part of the fort, administered by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, will focus on the former quarters of the castellan (governor), the officers’ barracks and offices and their quarters in the upper part of the fort.

The case report noted the deterioration process on the facades is “the result of a number of factors such as exposure, salt contamination deriving from sea spray and rising damp”.

The restoration will unblock sealed openings and repair the masonry cladding while obsolete metal inserts will be removed and stones replaced.

A restoration method statement detailing how the works will be done was submitted, and was approved by the Heritage Planning Unit, Superintendence for Cultural Heritage and Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee.

The fortress buildings are in varying states of preservation

The restoration of the ancient fort has always been on the agenda as two years ago Heritage Malta, which administers the remaining part, made significant progress in emergency restoration works particularly around its main gate and ramp.

The government heritage agency was given €1.5 million for emergency works and another €13.5 million from EU funds to turn Fort St Angelo into a heritage experience.

Although the exact details of the first use of the site of Fort St Angelo are not clear, it is linked to the prehistoric period.

The structure’s layout is largely attributed to the design of Colonel Don Carlos de Grunenburgh, who in the late 17th century paid for the construction of four gun batteries on the side of the fort facing the entrance to Grand Harbour.