Extensive restoration works at the 'white' tower in Armier are well underway in a challenging project by Din l-Art Ħelwa.

The project is being carried out thanks to lead financial support of the HSBC Malta Foundation. It is being led by volunteer Martin Vella.

The works, which commenced last year, are being carried out in stages.

They have so far included the demolition of illegal structures around the tower, the elimination of a dividing wall in an old blockhouse and removal of inappropriate paint and cement covering the blockhouse and ground floor walls.

Dangerous ceilings, many of which had collapsed, have been removed as well as old wiring. New cables have been laid, while installation of new apertures has been completed in the blockhouse.

Trees have been planted by HBSC volunteers to regenerate and landscape an area close-by at the bay of Daħlet ix Xmajjar.

The nearby ditch room was cleared of overgrown vegetation and a new ceiling installed with sponsorship by Atlas Insurance. New steel and wooden apertures have been installed.

Works on the artillery ditch and the environs of the ditch room have also been supported by the Ministry for Finance (Good Causes Fund) and the Ministry for Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change.

Once the physical fabric has been restored, finance obtained from the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation will be used to fund the interactive educational and visitor experience programmes included within the tower blockhouse.

Torri l-Abjad is one of the 13 coastal watch towers built during the reign of Grand Master Martin de Redin. The site was further developed for military uses by the Knights and by the British forces and then given in private leases to various owners after which it fell into grave state of disrepair. 

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