Floriana Bastions Walk, Saturday 16th October, 2.30pm
The FAA tour of the Floriana Lines held on Saturday 16th October 2010 departed from the Ospizio forecourt from where Dr. Stephen Spiteri led the group up to Magazine Curtain, la Vittoria Bastion and the Bastion of Provence. From these bastion ramparts the tour participants could see a panoramic view of both the Marsamxett fortifications such as Fort Manoel as well as the higher Floriana and Valletta bastions which the Ospizio bastions served to protect. Here Dr. Spiteri gave a short talk explaining how this area developed from Floriani’s original design, down to Mondion’s alterations and subsequent completion.
Malta’s pre-eminent authority on fortifications, Dr. Spiteri outlined the evolution of each set of fortifications, explaining how the Marsamxett bastions were built relatively late in the Order of St. John's fortification programme. He also gave a fascinating account of fortress-building blunders and the solutions that were developed to compensate for them.
Dr. Spiteri explaining how this area developed from Floriani’s original design, down to Mondion’s alterations and subsequent completion (Photo John Portelli)
The highlight of the tour came with the exploration of the underground chambers which radiate through the ramparts. Taking small groups through passages by torchlight (see photo), Dr. Spiteri led the FAA members down into the bowels of the ramparts to the narrow countermines which opened into circular explosives chambers. These chambers were planned to be triggered in the eventuality of the enemy penetrating defensive lines at that point, and were built with loosely-packed masonry. Had the masonry been stronger and more compact, it would have contained the blast from explosives left there, instead of which, the loose masonry allowed the power of the gunpowder explosion positioned to be released outwards, towards the enemy forces.
The walk ended with one of our popular teas, where participants were plied with delicious sandwiches and cakes freshly-baked by FAA Events Coordinator Geraldine Portelli and FAA volunteers.
Members walk gingerly down into the dark bowels of the ramparts.
Breathtaking scenes as FAA members and their guests explored the Floriana bastions.
On this visit of the Ospizio area of the Floriana Lines, Dr. Stephen Spiteri, Malta’s pre-eminent authority on fortifications, walked FAA members and guests through Magazine Curtain, la Vittoria Bastion and the Bastion of Provence. In addition to exploring the many underground chambers, passages and countermines which radiate through the ramparts, Dr. Spiteri gave a short talk explaining how this area developed from Floriani’s original design, down to Mondion’s alterations and subsequent completion.
