Red Tower burgled, vandalised

The Red Tower in Mellieha has been in existence since 1647 when it was built to serve as a watch-tower, but it is still coming under siege.

The victim of an attack last Friday, Din l-Art helwa reported that Fort St Agatha, its proper name, was broken into and burgled in what has been described as "mindless vandalism".

Its warden, DLH member Richard Mcgonigal, said the vandals cut the tower's padlock and broke into the BirdLife display room within, where they stole the money from the drinks vending machine, setting it on fire and destroying it.

The vandals then proceeded to break into the cellar under the tower by cutting through another padlock and they stole about Lm500 worth of equipment, including chain-saws and other tools belonging to BirdLife, Mr Mcgonigal said.

The environment group has an afforestation project in the area under the tower and uses the fort as a base.

The incident was reported to the police, who are investigating. Mr Mcgonigal, who has been a member of DLH for three years after he moved to Malta from the UK, felt strongly about "yet another act of vandalism against the island and its heritage. It is more of the same - a succession of pointless thefts and damage," he said.

As a warden, together with a team of around 10 other volunteers, they take it in turns to go up to Mellieha to open the tower to the public and accept their contributions.

"We try to have it opened every day, look after it and keep it clean," he said.

Speaking about security measures at heritage sites, DLH executive president Martin Galea said many of those in the hands of the NGO were in remote areas and, therefore, susceptible to vandalism.

"We try and use strong padlocks and reinforced doors but damage can always be done and, sometimes, access gained. Alarm systems have been installed at more vulnerable sites, or those that are targeted consistently," Mr Galea said, resigning himself to the fact that "there are elements in society we have to live with, while doing our best to safeguard the sites against them.

"Unfortunately, half the time we end up spending the funds raised through sponsorship on repairing damages when the money could otherwise go towards new projects."

The Red Tower's restoration was carried out about four years ago and sponsored by Toly Products, Demajo Group and Playmobil.

The entire works cost approximately Lm35,000, including the plastering of the exterior with hydraulic lime, the red paint. This has to be redone in the near future and DLH is currently studying alternative materials, which should have a longer life, before embarking on the project.

Built by the Knights of the Order of St John, the watch-tower, which was once referred to as Torre Rossa, appears to have always been red and served as a landmark.