Stqarrija għall-Istampa mill-Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara
Data: 14.01.2026
L-Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara qed terġa’ ġġedded l-appell urġenti tagħha biex jittieħdu passi deċiżivi ħalli jiġi mħares il-Forti Salvatur fil-Kalkara, binja importanti mill-wirt storiku Malti li bħalissa qed taffaċja deterjorazzjoni u qerda kontinwa. Filwaqt li nirrikonoxxu li l-forti jinsab mixtri mill-privat, l-istat attwali tiegħu jitlob intervent immedjat u kkoordinat mill-Gvern u mill-partijiet kollha kkonċernati.
Dan il-monument storiku ilu mibni għal sekli sħaħ, iżda llum qiegħed f’riskju li jintilef għal dejjem. B’kuntrast ma’ fortizzi storiċi oħra li ta’ spiss jiġbdu l-attenzjoni tal-midja l-aktar minħabba l-lokalità jew iż-żoni li jinsabu fihom, il-Forti Salvatur jistħoqqlu aktar minn sempliċi skiet: jistħoqqlu l-istess livell ta’ viżibbiltà u impenn biex jiġi żgurat il-ħarsien tiegħu.
L-Appell għall-azzjoni
Biex jiġi mħares u salvat il-Forti Salvatur, l-Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara tħeġġeġ lill-awtoritajiet sabiex jieħdu lura formalment dan il-forti, jew permezz ta’ xiri dirett jew inkella billi jiġi offrut kumpens ekwu lis-sidien preżenti billi jingħata sit alternattiv ta’ valur komparabbli. Dan il-pass huwa essenzjali biex tinfetaħ it-triq għal restawr u użu sostenibbli mill-ġdid fl-interess nazzjonali.
Barra l-akkwist, nappellaw ukoll biex isiru xogħlijiet immedjati ta’ stabilizzazzjoni u anki valutazzjoni komprensiva tal-kundizzjoni preżenti tiegħu, li eventwalment iwassal biex isir pjan ta’ restawr f’fażijiet differenti li jsegwi s-sengħa professjonali tal-konservazzjoni. Biex tiġi żgurata l-effiċjenza u r-responsabbiltà, għandu jitwaqqaf task force dedikat, biex jikkoordina x-xogħlijiet, il-permessi u anki l-opportunitajiet ta’ finanzjament u fondi.
Fl-aħħar nett, il-futur tal-forti għandu jħaddan użu sostenibbli u ffukat fuq il-komunità. Għandu joħloq esperjenza unika tal-wirt storiku tal-inħawi, potenzjalment lukanda b’tema storika, ikkumplimentata bi spazji edukattivi u kulturali. Dan bl-għan li jissaħħaħ it-turiżmu kulturali u anki joħloq aktar impjiegi ta’ kwalità fiż-żona.
L-Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara tinsab lesta biex tassisti lill-Gvern u lill-awtoritajiet kompetenti bl-informazzjoni meħtieġa u dokumentazzjoni, filwaqt li flimkien naħdmu għal soluzzjoni vijabbli li tqiegħed il-wirt storiku u l-komunità fl-ewwel post.
Fort Salvatore in Kalkara: A National Treasure on the Brink
Press Release by Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara
Date: 14.01.2026
Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara is renewing its urgent appeal for decisive action to safeguard Fort Salvatore (Forti Salvatur) in Kalkara, an irreplaceable piece of Malta’s heritage now facing accelerating deterioration. While we acknowledge the fort’s private ownership, its current state demands immediate, coordinated intervention by Government and all relevant stakeholders.
This historic landmark has stood for centuries, yet today it risks being lost forever. In contrast with other historical forts, which continue to attract media attention largely because of their prime location, Fort Salvatore deserves more than silence; it deserves the same level of visibility and commitment to ensure its survival.
Our Call to Action
To safeguard Fort Salvatore, Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara urges the authorities to pursue its formal acquisition, whether through direct purchase or by offering the current owners equitable compensation, such as an alternative site of comparable value. This step is essential to unlock restoration and sustainable reuse in the national interest. Alongside acquisition, we call for immediate stabilisation works and a comprehensive condition assessment, followed by a phased restoration plan aligned with best conservation practices. To ensure efficiency and accountability, a dedicated, time-bound task force should be established to coordinate works, permits, and funding opportunities. Finally, the fort’s future must embrace a sustainable, community-oriented reuse, such as an immersive heritage experience, potentially a historically themed hotel complemented by educational and cultural spaces, enhancing cultural tourism and creating quality employment for the area. A restored fort can become a living public asset, strengthening the area’s cultural offer, attracting visitors, and supporting local employment.
Assoċjazzjoni Wirt il-Kalkara stands ready to assist Government and competent authorities with local knowledge, documentation, and outreach, working towards a solution that puts heritage and community first.
Xi ritratti ħajr lil Fort Finder u Conrad Neil Gatt | Some photos thanks to Fort Finder and Conrad Neil Gatt