Author: Dr. Hans-Rudolf Neumann
As part of a FORTE CULTURA pilot tour to Malta and Gozo, initial contacts were established with the Maltese state heritage organization HERITAGE MALTA. The participants of the pilot tour, coming from four European countries, were impressed by the renovation and restoration work carried out on the fortifications in Malta and on Gozo.
These ongoing efforts were mainly implemented between 2006 and 2016 with funding from the European Union, the national government fund, and private investment. For example, the Manoel Citadel in Gżira was restored by a private real estate consortium alone at a cost of approximately 60 million euros.
The chief manager of the two state forts, St. Elmo and St. Angelo, Matthew Balzan, and the Senior Executive Marketing & Sales, Ryan Vella—both from HERITAGE MALTA—welcomed the group at Fort St. Elmo and explained the restoration work that had been carried out, in the presence of architect Ruben Abela.
The existence of a European Cultural Route was received with great interest; it was promised that the FORTE CULTURA documentation brought along would be submitted to the responsible board with regard to possible membership. Overall, it can be stated that the Maltese are fully aware of their historic fortress heritage and are making great efforts to preserve it.
Certified Guide
In recognition of her commitment in accompanying the FORTE CULTURA pilot tour to Malta and Gozo, the local tour guide Nynke van Ek was awarded the honorary “Certified Guide” badge by the co-founder of the Cultural Route, Dr.-Ing. Neumann.
She was also presented with a book documentation from last year’s pilot tour to Gibraltar. All participants were enthusiastic about her daily dedication in conveying what had previously been an unfamiliar subject area.
Ms. van Ek confirmed that fortification-based cultural tourism in Malta has a promising future. As an alternative and sustainable form of tourism, it could, in the long term, become a genuine enrichment of Malta’s already extensive cultural offerings. What would be important, she noted, is a central contact point responsible for coordinating the various sites and events. In cooperation with MaltaVisit, the Fortress Interpretation Center would offer particularly favorable conditions for this purpose.
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