Criteria of Intervention on the fortifications and the city of Valletta
However, due to the tenacious nature of some of the dirt encrustations micro sand blasting also had to be used in certain areas. Once the stone surface was cleaned, areas that presented alveolar deterioration were treated with a special designed lime based mortar used to meticulously fill the alveolar holes thus preventing further salt induced deterioration. Missing sculptural elements, particularly in the coat of arms were reintegrated using a non shrink plastic repair mix.
Acknowledgements Image 18. Photo by Architect Claude Borg.
This method is generally used on delicate, or uneven, surfaces which are likely to suffer or be damaged from mechanical action applied directly to them.
– Rehabilitation Projects Office, Valletta within the Restoration Directorate – Restoration Directorate within the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs – Ministry for Gozo – Dr Stephen Spiteri for all the information provided on the fortifications
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