A restoration plan for Fort Chambray is underway in Gozo
Discussions are underway for the further restoration of Fort Chambray in Gozo, following the recent presentation of a comprehensive study to the authorities.
Gozitan businessman Michael Caruana recounted Times of Malta that over the last two years, “an architect has been commissioned to monitor all the fortifications, and to come up with a report on the stability and current situation of the fortress”.
He said the report was presented to the authorities almost two months ago and includes a plan of all necessary interventions.
Caruana took Gozo’s largest fort from the government in 2004, for an annual premium and rent, and turned it into a luxury apartment center.
He said he was in discussions with the competent authorities to address the infrastructure issues according to the terms of the contract.
On 2 January Times of Malta reported how parts of the 18th-century fort are derelict and in danger of collapsing as they await the long-awaited restoration.
The stonework was badly eroded and large blocks came down from the ramparts, while wide cracks came down the walls.
In response to that history, the environment and the heritage, the NGO Wirt Għawdex said that it has been appealing to the authorities to preserve the fort.
She had proposed a detailed study to the Gozo Ministry in 2018 and confirmed that she had carried out the study.
A final report was drawn up and forwarded to the ministry “towards the end of 2021”.
The NGO said last August it had again insisted that pressure should be put on preserving and maintaining Fort Chambray, as this historic gem, which also contains a unique powder magazine (gunpowder magazine), has been around for a long time. many years left in a sorry state. of negligence ‘.
New photos sent to Times of Malta The week has passed and the fort is not in a good condition from the inside.[alig[addietturilil-fortimajinsabxf’kundizzjonia[jarminn;ewwa
Cracks run down the walls and along the ground, and shrubs, trees and wild vegetation sprout through the cracks, with dry weeds all over the place.
Photographs taken recently from the outside show a number of iron bars that appear to have recently been attached to the walls to support the outer layer of the ramparts and prevent more stonework from falling. .
Another NGO, Gozo, said that as a result of the privatization of the fort, the public has lost access to it and is now at risk of losing this heritage.
“This is a case where the historical heritage is at risk as a consequence of a previous government agreeing to the privatization of what it is and should remain a common heritage,” said the NGO.
“We call on the entities concerned, specifically those under a contractual obligation to carry out maintenance and restoration work, to take the necessary urgent action. We are already losing much of Gozo’s natural and historic heritage at an alarming rate. We can’t risk losing more. “
The fort, overlooking the port of Mgarr, was built in the early 1700s by the Knights of St. John as part of their defense strategy against attacks from the sea.
It was intended to act as another citadel – a fortified city in which Gozitans could gather to seek refuge in the event of a siege.
‘Geological movement is the fault, not the negligence’
One of the professionals involved in the restoration project of Fort Chambray is being led by architect Alex Torpiano.
His team has been working on Fort Chambray since 2008 and told the Times of Malta that between 2005 and 2014 an estimated “extensive restoration work” had already been carried out, costing € 650,000.
He also said that his office had prepared a document declaring the method of restoration which had been submitted with an application of the Planning Authority which was approved last July.
However, he said that the problems with Fort Chambray are not a consequence of negligence or neglect, but of a very particular rock movement in the area.
“Unfortunately, the geology of the site in particular is such that there is significant continuous movement of the substructure around the periphery, particularly in the west-facing bastions,” he said.
“These movements require more than normal restoration works, but substructure engineering interventions, even from outside the perimeter of the fort. The costs of these works will certainly go beyond the obligations of the Leasing Agreement. “
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