The Malta Airport Foundation is supporting Heritage Malta with the restoration of the Siege Bell Memorial in Valletta through the sponsorship of works on the second phase of an ongoing project.

The monument, commemorating more than 7,000 victims of the Second World War in Malta, was inaugurated in 1992, and is located within the lower part of Saint Christopher’s Bastion in Valletta. Designed by Michael Sandel, a British sculptor who specialises in the creation of war and battle monuments, the memorial houses Malta’s largest bell. This Bell had tolled every day at noon in remembrance of those who lost their lives during the war until some years ago, when structural stability and the urgent need for restoration brought this observance to a halt.

While the first phase of the project has focused on repair and reinforcement works on the memorial structure and the bronze Bell mechanism, the second phase will centre on embellishing the podium and its surroundings, whilst heightening security in the area to protect the noteworthy investment that is being undertaken. This will be achieved through the installation of new safety perimeter railings, new upgraded paving, a CCTV system and bespoke designer lighting, with the latter expected to allow for the appreciation of the monument at all times of the day, even from a distance.

Additionally, the second phase of the project will see the restoration of the internal bastion walls and superior slopes, together with the bronze sculpture of the unknown soldier buried at sea, which is found just in front of the Bell.

“The Malta Airport Foundation is honoured to be able to contribute to the preservation of a monument that reminds us of such an important part of the islands’ history. The embellishment works that will be carried out with the Foundation’s support will certainly heighten the appeal of an area that is already breathtakingly beautiful thanks to the views it commands of Malta’s Grand Harbour and fortifications,” said Malta Airport Foundation Chairman, Josef Formosa Gauci.

“Given the Malta Airport Foundation’s strong track record in supporting cultural heritage, it is an honour to have its backing for the Siege Bell Project. In fact, this partnership is a natural fit for Heritage Malta as it seeks to preserve and manage Malta’s cultural heritage. Heritage Malta strongly believes that such a partnership facilitates the enjoyment of this unique monument in our capital city by locals and overseas visitors alike. Cultural Heritage is an integral part of our national identity as well as a cornerstone of Malta’s tourism product,” said Heritage Malta Chief Executive Officer, Noel Zammit.

The Siege Bell Memorial project is not the Malta Airport Foundation’s first bid to support the restoration of wartime heritage, making it more accessible to the public. Between 2017 and 2020, the Foundation had partnered with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna on the restoration of the Combined Operations Room, which forms part of an impressive 28,000-square-metre underground war complex.

The Malta Airport Foundation has also sponsored the restoration of the historical Via Sagra found inside the Ta’ Ġieżu church and lent its support to Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti to open the Victor Pasmore Gallery located on Saint Paul Street, with the aim of further enhancing Valletta’s offering.

For further information about the Foundation and its projects, click here.

Published on: 25.03.25