Restoration

Fort Manoel was built by the Knights in 1723 to protect Valletta's north-facing bastions from artillery action in the Isolotto in Marsamxetto Harbour.

It endured numerous direct hits during World War II and subsequently over previous decades the Island’s important heritage buildings have been neglected and fallen into disrepair. Following discussions with the Maltese Government MIDI began extensive efforts to respectfully restore and preserve the heritage sites on the Island in August 2001.

Over the years, a rectified photographic record of all the buildings within the fort has been compiled. This was followed by a mapping process ‐ which has meticulously detailed all damages, their nature and causes, in order to determine the interventions that were required.

The restoration of various important heritage sites on Manoel Island is an on-going process and to-date more than €20 million has been invested by MIDI in the restoration of St George’s Chapel and the majestic Fort Manoel at no cost to the Maltese people.