For such a tiny island, Malta sure is filled with historical, architectural, and cultural gems, and Luqa’s newly restored naval reservoir is a perfect example of all three.

Built between 1905 and 1909, back when Malta was ruled by the British, this reservoir can hold up to a whopping 45 million litres of water and is a whole five storeys high.

Its grandiose design and perfectly executed arches earned it the nickname of ‘The Underground Cathedral’.

The British resorted to building a reservoir in Luqa for safety reasons, just in case the nearby Dockyard caught fire. It was one of the first projects in Malta to make use of a reinforced concrete structure.

After undergoing a €500,000 renovation, executed by the Water Services Corporation (WSC), Luqa’s reservoir is once again ready to serve its purpose.

However, before it’s filled back up with water, the WSC is organising an open weekend, from 19th to 20th March, allowing the general public to pay this architectural gem a visit.

Unfortunately, WSC has just announced that the event is fully booked - having said that, do check out their Facebook page to stay updated with the latest developments.

Did you manage to book a place? 

Main Images: The Naval Reservoir/ Daniel Cilia