The Rebirth of the Tritons Fountain

Kenneth Cauchi was born in 1974. He is a Maltese conservation practitioner by profession, specialised in monumental sculpture and buildings of cultural heritage significance. He is a graduate from the University of Malta in conservation of Built Heritage and is currently the Conservation Officer of the Planning Authority. He is one of the official consultees on planning applications received proposing restoration interventions on Maltese listed buildings including archaeological sites and others of limited architectural interest such as vernacular structures. Kenneth has been responsible for a number of delicate conservation projects. Since 2011, he has been the promoter for the restoration of the iconic Tritons’ Fountain. He was later one of the main contributors during the planning and implementation phases of this challenging project by the technical team of the Ministry of Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects (MTIP). He was eventually appointed conservation and historic consultant on the project, which involved the careful dismantling of the monumental sculptural group and subsequent shipping of the same for conservation treatments in Florence.

Synopsis

Sponsored by the Alfred Mizzi Foundation. The rebirth of the Tritons’ Fountain at City Gate in Valletta had long been coming. The main difficulty was the merging of five different disciplines to work into one. The most obvious damage was in the sculptural group which had been subjected to structural collapse and makeshift repairs in the 80s. The figures needed to be dismantled for reinforcement, consolidation, cleaning, and to be made to bear the load of the water laden basin in a technically correct manner. The surrounding travertine that composes the fountain was stained and absolutely filthy with the continuous contact with untreated water. The underlying concrete substructure was in dire need of attention due to water ingress, while the water fittings were derelict and blocked with a mess in the lighting system. Addressing these facts in a holistic manner was the only sensible way forward to ensure that the fountain is restored to its original splendor and as intended by its designers. This has been complemented further by the creation of Tritons’ Square which has given a new dimension to the Tritons’ Fountain.

Speaker: Kenneth Gauci