Triton fountain statues were ‘more damaged than expected’

The bronze Triton Fountain statues were more damaged than expected, according to Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Joe Mizzi.

Addressing the press yesterday morning, Minister Mizzi explained that the statues will take longer to be restored.

“The bronze plates can mostly be arranged and restored to as they were originally,” said the minister, explaining that the statues and bronze plates were taken to the foundry Fonderia Artistica Fernando Marinelli in Florence, Italy, in order to be restored. Minister Mizzi elaborated that the welding process would take longer following the discovery of more cracks within the structure.

In the coming days, the bronze plates will be taken to Vicenza to be further refined. “It took us about three years to find someone to restore it,” the minister said, calling the previous state of the fountain “embarrassing.” He emphasised that a professional to do the works “was not easy to find.” The works on the three figures are expected to be completed by the end of next month.

The €4 million project, involving the restoration of the fountain, created by local sculptor Vince Apap in 1959, will still be finished by the end of the year. Works to restore the Maltese landmark at Valletta’s entrance began in December, following a lengthy tendering process.

Other works include the creation of a new pump room for the fountain, which will be located where the public toilets used to be. While developing the pump room, an old wall was found which was hidden. Mr Mizzi said the wall in the pump room will be restored, with both the pump room and the underground tunnel to the fountain expected to be ready by the first week of May. Installations of light and water systems are also set to begin next month.

Mr Mizzi said that the first three phases of work are ready, including road works to restructure roads and better traffic management.

Substructure works on lanes providing access to the area of the Lascaris War Rooms are also currently underway. Other developments included in the project are the City Gate Ditch and the alteration of the old bus terminus into a pedestrian zone.

Other troubles with the monument range from extensive corrosion damage and structural inadequacy of the bronze group to deterioration and fouling of the travertine slabs, deterioration and limitations of the civil work, and deficiencies and breakdown of the water and electrical systems.

The works to restore the fountain are being carried out together with the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation.

Call to public to collect Triton memories

The government is calling on the public to send in photos of the Triton Fountain, or the area prior to the fountain being built, in order to create a collection of photographs linked with Malta’s iconic fountain.

The photographs will be used in publications, exhibitions or activities linked with the project.

The photographs could be either old or new, and do not have to specifically depict the fountain but could also show the street life surrounding the area.

Any images can be submitted at the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure between 29 and 30 May from 9am to 1pm, and 2pm and 4pm.

The photos can also be sent electronically via triton@gov.mt or by uploading it on the website www.triton.gov.mt.

Photos can also be sent to the ministry by post at TRITONI, Kaxxa Postali 1026, Triq Nofsinhar, Il-Belt Valletta.