From my Bormla visit of last Saturday. Please enlarge for better view, thank you.
A new look for No. 1 Dock.
#1 Dock was one of the drydocks which were built in the middle of the 19th century by the colonial government to service its Mediterranean fleet. Some of the buildings even go back to the times of the Knights of St John. For many years after its closing down this dock and its buildings lay derelict surrounded by its one storey-high wall and an eyesore for the local community and those who passed through Bormla.
It was the subject of hot debates and controversy as the Bormliżi – the people of Bormla - were crying out to have the wall removed and the seafront returned to the people.
Finally a few years ago action was taken and the Maltese government laid plans and started the process of turning the area into a beautiful waterfront promenade with a yacht marina at the approaches to the dock. The workshops of the many engineers, technicians and tradesmen who worked here were retained for posterity and are shown in this shot. The project was inaugurated around one year ago.
And this is the result. It’s the first time I have been here since its opening– I actually came to take some shots of the church. I hope that it will be well-taken care of and would love to see at least some of those workshops turned into a museum as a tribute to those very skilled workers who worked here – and for the many who died whilst on duty during the frequent air raids by enemy warplanes during WWII – and also to demonstrate their tools and skills.
Thank you very much for looking and for your lovely comments and for the fav's on yesterday's picture.
On the black this is even more outstanding!! Wonderful perspective and those reflections are just super. I love these historical spots you've been showing us. The lights really make this shot.
