Work on the historical gem of Fort St Elmo is inching closer to completion as sealed gun emplacements are opened up, walls are cleaned and reinforced and life is slowly being breathed into the spectacular structure.

The €15.5 million project, being implemented by the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation in collaboration with Heritage Malta, is being largely funded by the European Regional Development Fund, which is footing 85 per cent of the cost.

Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi and Parliamentary Secretary for EU funds Ian Borg yesterday toured the complex, which incorporates two sections being covered by the project: Fort St Elmo and the Carafa Enceinte (the outer parts of the fort).

The fort is expected to be completed by April 2014, while works on the Enceinte should be finished by the end of next year.

The project will include a military history museum and a Valletta people’s museum. The military history museum, which will be an extension of the current war museum, will span from prehistory to present times and will be located in buildings throughout the fort.

There will be a timed show of the history of the fortifications as well as a depiction of how the battery operated during World War II. Military vehicles that are currently in reserve collections will also be brought over to the fort to be exhibited.

Speaking to Times of Malta, architect Paul Borg said three lifts will be installed in the fort, which will render 80 per cent of the complex accessible to wheelchair users.

The water well system used by the British will be retained and the water collected will be used as second class water and for irrigation and fire-fighting purposes.

The fort is a Pandora’s box of curiosities – its layered history is slowly being unravelled through the rehabilitation works carried out by the dedicated team.

Secret passageways are being unblocked, while spaces that were created in the period of the Knights of St John during the construction of ‘complex’ structures (such as stairways), and which were subsequently sealed off, are being opened up again.

Graffiti inscribed on the Globigerina limestone walls dating back centuries are being cleaned.

The church with an early 18th century baroque facade, desecrated during the British period, will soon be restored and used as a multipurpose hall.

A book encapsulating facts and information on the fort is being compiled.