Heritage Malta Entering New Phase of Siege Bell Memorial Restoration with Support from the Malta Airport Foundation

Press Release – 21 March 2025

Heritage Malta is commencing a new phase in the restoration of the Siege Bell Memorial in Valletta, which will embellish its surrounding area, with financial support by the Malta Airport Foundation.

The monument, commemorating more than 7,000 victims of the Second World War in Malta, was inaugurated in 1992 and is located within the lower part of Saint Christopher’s Bastion in Valletta. Designed by Michael Sandel, a British sculptor who specialises in the creation of war and battle monuments, the memorial houses Malta’s largest bell, which is meant to toll every day at noon in remembrance of those who lost their lives during the war. For structural stability and urgent restoration requirements, the bell stopped chiming some years ago.

While the first phase of the project focused on repair and reinforcement works on the memorial structure and the bronze bell mechanism, the second phase will centre on embellishing the podium and surroundings whilst heightening security in the area to protect the noteworthy investment that is being undertaken. This will be achieved through the installation of new safety perimeter railings, new upgraded paving, a CCTV system and bespoke designer lighting, with the latter expected to allow for the appreciation of the monument even from a distance and at all times of day.

Additionally, the second phase of the project will see the restoration of the internal bastion walls and superior slopes, and the bronze sculpture of the unknown soldier buried at sea, which is found just in front of the bell.

Mr Noel Zammit, Heritage Malta’s Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Given the Malta Airport Foundation’s strong track record in supporting cultural heritage, it is an honour to have its backing for the Siege Bell Project. In fact, this partnership is a natural fit for Heritage Malta as it seeks to preserve and manage Malta’s cultural heritage. Heritage Malta strongly believes that such a partnership facilitates the enjoyment of this unique monument in our capital city by locals and overseas visitors alike. Cultural heritage is an integral part of our national identity as well as a cornerstone of Malta’s tourism product.”

Mr Josef Formosa Gauci, the Malta Airport Foundation’s Chairman, remarked: “The Malta Airport Foundation is honoured to be able to contribute to the preservation of a monument that reminds us of such an important part of the islands’ history. The embellishment works that will be carried out with the Foundation’s support will certainly heighten the appeal of an area that is already breathtakingly beautiful by virtue of the views it commands of Malta’s Grand Harbour and fortifications.”

The project, of which the first phase was funded by national funds totalling to around €700,000, is envisaged to near completion in the coming months. Whilst the monument will continue to be inaccessible as works progress, the public is invited to join the journey of the iconic memorial by following Heritage Malta’s news section, social media pages or WhatsApp Channel where more updates will be shared.