A piece of Malta’s military history is emerging from obscurity as Heritage Malta’s conservation team meticulously restores a pre-World War II inscription at Fort St Elmo. The inscription, which marks a Fire Point, had been hidden under layers of paint for decades. Now, as restoration efforts progress, the white lettering on a black background – adorned with a Maltese Cross in white and yellow – is gradually coming back to light.

During the British era, every fortification within the Empire was equipped with designated firefighting points, each holding two buckets – one filled with water, the other with sand. These buckets, painted red and numbered, were an essential safety feature. At Fort St Elmo, the fire points were further distinguished by the iconic eight-pointed cross of the Order of St John, reflecting Malta’s deep historical ties to the Knights.

With this restoration, Heritage Malta continues to safeguard the island’s rich past, ensuring that details like these remain visible for future generations to appreciate.

Have you ever spotted the remnants of these fire points?