The Malta Independent on Sunday
Historic former military installation restored as observatory and field centre
A site formerly used by the British military to strengthen the defences of the western part of Malta has undergone painstaking restoration and will now be used for didactic, research and outreach purposes as an observatory and field centre.
A collaboration between the HSBC Malta Foundation, the University of Malta and the Mġarr Local Council, the ILand Observatory and Field Centre represents a unique new concept in natural and cultural heritage management in Malta. The parties had originally embarked on plans for this project nearly eight years ago with restoration works getting underway in 2013.
The I-Land Observatory and Field Centre overlooks Fomm ir-Riħ Bay and spans the area formerly known as the Kunċizzjoni Electric Light Engine Room, built between 1897 and 1917, and features rare military building characteristics.
According to Prof. Alex Torpiano, the site used the latest military technology available for its time. Although only a few upright sections remain in the perimeter, the site made early use of barbed wire for coastal defence. Other defence features included prickly pear plants, the scarping of part of the perimeter slope, rubble wall infantry field defences, a musketry gallery, a fire trench and maxim machine guns.
Professor Louis F. Cassar, from the UM, said that the Centre will be used to showcase not only the site’s history and heritage, but also the various assets that occur in the vicinity, notably the unique landforms, the geology, the rural landscapes and the very context within which this extreme end of the Victoria Lines defence of was constructed.
HSBC Malta CEO Andrew Beane, who was formally educated in History, said: “This project has been a labour of love for us. It reminds us that we can learn something together if we keep one eye on the past while keeping one eye on the future, and to do so in a way that brings together the community, the University and other partners.”
University rector Prof. Alfred J. Vella said: “This project extends the University’s work outside of campus and into the community, and effects research that will circle back into cutting-edge studies.”
Parliamentary secretary for Local Government and Communities Silvio Parnis said: “Today’s initiative is another example of how important local councils are for their localities and for the residents. This local council, in collaboration with the University of Malta and HSBC, is turning this building into something beneficial for the residents and for all those who visit this locality.”
Mġarr mayor Paul Vella said: “This building was built for keeping ‘the other’ from coming in and invading the area. Today, we are opening it up for all to come, visit and explore the bravery and brilliance of those who planned and erected this building.”
An exhibition featuring the history and the various stages of the often-complex restoration works is now open to the public.