By Daniel Tihn
Black lettering defaces iconic Floriana structure
The iconic Portes des Bombes in Floriana was defaced with graffiti on Tuesday.
On the archways, black letters read “I love Dali”, accompanied by hearts and smiley faces on the reverse side.
A police spokesperson stated that the damage occurred at 7.30am, Tuesday morning – about 20 minutes after sunrise.
Portes des Bombes lies on a heavily-trafficked road leading into Valletta.
As soon as the crime was reported, the removal of graffiti started.
The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and restoration experts worked together to begin the cleaning works.
The Culture Minister Owen Bonnici has condemned this criminal act, and said that the building is part of Malta’s cultural and historical heritage.
He said, “The cultural heritage of our country gives us an identitiy.” This government is committed to protecting and safeguarding it.
There is no camera on the rear of the building.
James Aaron Ellul, Floriana Councillor told Times of Malta he had been pushing to have this change since years.
Ellul stated that the camera at the back of the arch was damaged in a 2012 traffic accident and replaced only in 2017 after his requests as a Floriana Councillor.
The camera in question was removed sometime between 2017-2019, causing the councillor of Floriana to relaunch his campaign at the start of 2023.
He said, in frustration, on Tuesday morning: “Nobody is willing to accept responsibility. Look what has happened.”
It is not the first vandalism of the historic landmark.
In 2017, NET revealed that Portes des Bombes had been vandalised, with vulgar words scrawled on the walls referring to Malta and former prime minister Joseph Muscat.
In the 17th Century, Pietro Paolo Floriani suggested that Valletta’s defenses should extend beyond its walls.
Floriani presented the plans of the Floriana Lines in 1638 and, despite fierce opposition, these were approved.
Lines were finished in 1645. However, over time, they have seen alterations and improvements.
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