Today I went on a night tour of the Msida Bastion Historical Garden.
Tucked away in a dimly lit parking lot outside of Valletta it was very easy to miss. The entrance was dark and lit by two small candles. I felt some trepidation of entering but decided to proceed in bravery. After paying a small fee, a friendly Tour Guide brought us into the candlelit bastion and was immediately in awe.
The limestone walls were of an era long gone. In one corner, surrounded by rubble and weeds, was an area that used to be the original entrance. The perimeter was lined with foundations that used to house cannons and military gear. My imagination began to drift to a time when the area was ripe with combat and chaos in the cold calculated arena of war.
But this place was not just a military complex. It was a burial ground of sailors, dignitaries and renegades. Littered throughout the area were large and small tombstones dating back to the 19th century. The condition of some were shocking and the evidence of neglect, destruction and grave robbing was clear. However, the Tour Guide explained how their non-for-profit organisation regenerated the area and unearthed the stories of some of these individuals.
The design of the large tombs had numerous cryptic and religious symbols of death, rebirth and life. Archival photographs and sketches provided an epic overview of how human history is embedded in the landscape much like layers of sediment in an ancient rock bed.
It is easy to forget we walk through the past on a daily basis. Structures, whether in a rural or urban setting tell a story. It shows how an area was developed and evolved with design, trends and lifestyle changes. This place was a perfect example of this concept reignited my senses.
I would recommend a visit.
Mark M.
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