Restoration works on the Vendôme Tower in Marsaxlokk have now been completed.Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government Owen Bonnici visited the site to mark the completion of the restoration project on the Vendôme Tower, also known as Qrajten or Craite Tower, in Marsaxlokk.This historic tower is one of four towers built in 1715/16 by the French Prior Philippe de Vendôme, who had stressed the need for stronger coastal defences around the Maltese islands.“This project reflects our vision of keeping the past alive while ensuring our heritage remains accessible and appreciated by everyone. It is important that we continue to value our localities. Towers such as these do not merely represent stone and architecture, but stand as living testimony to the history and achievements of generations of Maltese and Gozitan people,” said Minister Bonnici.“The fact that we are restoring these sites and giving them new life sends a message of respect and love towards our heritage, while also creating new spaces where families and visitors can enjoy themselves and learn more about who we are and where we come from. This is an investment in our culture, our education and our future as a nation,” the Minister added.Marsaxlokk Mayor Steven Grech described the completion of the Vendôme Tower restoration as an important day not only for Marsaxlokk, but for the country’s wider historical heritage. He said the tower forms part of the locality’s maritime and historical identity, making its preservation for future generations essential.During the war, one of the land-facing corners of the tower was destroyed, but it was rebuilt shortly afterwards through war-damage funding. The tower features a square plan, sloping external walls and several musketry loopholes – narrow openings through which soldiers would fire upon enemy forces. Above the main entrance there was most likely a machicolation balcony, which was altered over time.Internally, the tower consists of vaulted rooms and a staircase leading to the roof, where soldiers once stood guard and defended the structure from behind the parapet walls. The ditch surrounding the tower’s perimeter was gradually filled in over the years, while the original drawbridge was also lost.The restoration works included the cleaning of all façades, the removal of nails and unsympathetic additions, repointing using a lime-based mortar mix, the replacement of deteriorated stone, minor repairs to the roof waterproofing layer, restoration of the superior slope waterproofing and the reconstruction of missing or damaged sections. The intervention forms part of a wider process aimed at making both the tower and its surrounding spaces accessible for public enjoyment.All works were carried out under professional supervision and fully documented throughout. The project forms part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding Malta’s cultural heritage.Tag someone you know is interested•