The original key to the Wignacourt Tower, the first coastal tower built during the era of the Knights of Malta at St Paul’s Bay, has now found its place in the Tower’s museum which is run by the foundation Din l-Art Ħelwa. This has resulted from the generosity of Max Farrugia who had the key in his collection with other keys and which he has now donated to the museum.
This year’s Wignacourt Tower festival was made a special event by this donation. The presentation was made by Max Farrugia himself who bought the key 30 years ago from a Monti seller when he bought a batch of keys but had to pay extra for this particular key because of its significance as the original key to the Tower.
Farrugia was featured on television a while ago and mentioned he had the key in his possession. A few days later he had a call from St Paul’s Bay Mayor Graziella Galea asking him whether he would like to donate the key to the Tower’s museum. Although Farrugia had a counter offer from a British couple who wanted to purchase the key, Farrugia felt that his loyalty towards national heritage and the public required that he donate the key to the museum.
Din l-Art Ħelwa were at first sceptical about the authenticity of the key which was made 400 years ago but when the key fitted the lock, its authenticity was proven. Mayor Graziella Galea thanked and praised Max Farrugia’s generous gesture while Din l-Art Ħelwa President Maria Grazia Cassar said volunteers are involved in keeping the Tower open as well as taking care of other historic sites under the Foundation’s charge.
