The Tritons’ Fountain () is a fountain located in Floriana, Malta. It consists of three bronze Tritons holding up a large basin, balanced on a concentric base built out of concrete and clad in 730 tons of travertine slabs. The fountain is one of Malta's most important Modernist landmarks.
Designed and constructed between 1952 and 1959 under three governing bodies, and conceived jointly by eminent sculptor Chevalier Vincent Apap and his collaborator draughtsman Victor Anastasi, the fountain became unofficially operational on Saturday 16 May 1959. The fountain was used as a stage for National Celebrations named 'Mill-Maltin għall-Maltin' and is believed to have jeopardized the relatively compromised structural setup of the sculptural group and consequently contributed to the dramatic collapse of the sculptural group which occurred on Wednesday 1 March 1978 at approximately 14:00hrs.
The sculptural group was repaired by Malta Drydocks engineers between January 1986 and April 1987. During this intervention a central sculptural addition consisting of three seagulls and seaweed (also the work of Chev. Apap) was introduced within the sculptural group, however this arrangement subsequently diminished the telamonic role of the mythological Triton figures.
The fountain deteriorated in subsequent decades, and was earmarked for relocation in 2010 when the Heritage Planning Unit of the Planning Authority through its Conservation Officer Kenneth Cauchi advised that the monumental fountain would be best left in situ and any efforts were to be aimed and restoring the whole structure to its original form and reinstate the sculptural group in its dramatic carrying role of the ponderous basin. Much efforts and meetings were undertaken with Minister of Infrastructure, Communication and Transport Dr. Austin Gatt who stopped all proposals of relocating the fountain in a Press Conference dated 9 December 2011. The proposal by Mr. Cauchi was put forward to be addressed by the Minister of Resources and Rural Affairs George Pullicino who put forward the proposal through his Permanent Secretary Ing. Christopher Ciantar and Architect Norbert Gatt. Eventually the project passed forward by the Head of the Rehabilitation Projects Office (RPO) Chief Architect Mireille Fsadni and under the new Minister of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MTI) Joe Mizzi and under the new Permanent Secretary Ing Joseph Callus who was instrumental in setting up a technical steering group to address the proposed project by Mr. Cauchi. The team was chaired by Ing. Stefan Calamatta and was made up of Architect Fsadni to cover the civil and structural parts, Mr. Cauchi to cover the historical, artistic and bronze and travertine conservation aspects, Ing Brian Cauchi and Ing Alex Vella (obit. 2023) to cover the mechanical and hydraulic aspects, Ing Conrad Casha and Ing Simon Ellul to address the electrical aspects.
Following the general election of 2017, the project passed under a new Ministry Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects (MTIP) with Dr. Ian Borg as Minister and Permanent Secretary Mr. Christopher Cutajar who saw to the undertaking of the project proposed by Mr. Cauchi. The contract for works was entered upon on 12 January 2017 and commencing on site at the end of January when the bronze figures were dismantled and sent to Fonderia Artistica Ferdinando Marinelli of Florence. Works were ready by the end of the year, and the fountain and piazza were officially inaugurated on 12 January 2018, precisely a year to date from the signing of the contract. The Project Manager was Ing Joseph Scicluna who was instrumental to bring the project to a satisfactory conclusion while the Site Manager was Joseph Mifsud.
Design
thumb|left|Close-up of the three Tritons
The fountain consists of three bronze figures of mythological Tritons holding up a huge circular basin measuring 5m in diameter and weighing approximately 3tons. Two of the Tritons are sitting, while the third one is kneeling, and they are balanced on a seaweed base. The face of each Triton is visible when viewed from City Gate. Their posture gives a sense of strength as well as spiral movement, which contribute to the monumentality of the fountain. The water jets were also designed in order to convey the sense of movement. although some parts might have survived beneath the present street level. The area was eventually used as a bus terminus, and in January 1953 the Ministry for Public Works and Reconstruction launched a competition for designing a fountain in this empty space. The competition was open to everyone except for those who worked at the Public Works Department, and the first prize was of £100.
Damage and repair
thumb|View of the fountain showing the central pillar, added in 1986 and removed in 2017
In the decades after its construction, the fountain became a landmark due to its prominent location in Malta's main bus terminus. It was used for various events, including the Republic Day national festivities which were televised on the programme Mill-Maltin għall-Maltin. A platform was built on the fountain's sculptural group to house entertainment acts which included concerts as well as motorcycles climbing on the bronze basin over specially-constructed ramps. This greatly weakened the structure, and together with natural deterioration, it resulted in the tank mounted inside the basin failing to limit the water supported inside. This caused an excessive amount of water to remain in the platter, which strained the bronze Triton figures supporting it. One of the Tritons' arms broke on 1 March 1978, and the platter collapsed resulting in significant damage to two of the three Tritons.
Over time, further deterioration to the sculpture occurred, including corrosion and cracks in the figures. The travertine slabs in the fountain's base also sustained substantial damage and staining over the years. This would have moved the fountain from the limits of Valletta to Floriana.
The proposed relocation was controversial, and although some welcomed the proposal, most people were against moving the landmark fountain. In December 2011, Minister Austin Gatt announced that the fountain will not be moved, and after restoration it will serve as the centerpiece of Piano's redesigned entrance to Valletta.
The fountain was scheduled as a Grade 1 property by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority on 8 May 2012, as one of the "20th Century Modernist Architecture and Monuments in Valletta and Floriana". On 28 December of the same year, it was included on the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands.
Restoration
thumb|The Triton figures being dismantled prior to being sent for restoration in February 2017
Restoring the fountain to its lost original splendour (without the central sculpture) had rarely or better never been considered since the fountain was in such a dilapidated state that to most, (politicians included) it had very few limited merits. To make matters worse, established conservation ethics dictated black on white that an artefact's history is part and parcel of the artefact and should not be erased. Apart from Kenneth Cauchi who is a warranted and qualified bronze conservator and who was working behind the scenes, Robert Cassar the Curator of the Palace Armoury and a warranted and qualified bronze conservator was the only official to publicly express his professional views to stop the proposed the unwarranted fracas. The general perspective of most was that it was a flea ridden pit in a God forsaken place. Furthermore being dead centre in the middle of a disorganised bus terminus made it even more shabby. The aforementioned plans to relocate the fountain manifested this fact outrightly, however it was clear that the fountain super and sub-structure would never survive the move. Plans to restore the fountain were first made during the 2011 relocation proposal. After it was announced that the fountain will remain in its original location, it was mentioned that €2 million would be allocated to restore it, removing the alterations done in the 1980s. However, nothing materialized initially and the Ministry only began the process to restore the fountain in October 2015. until the Ministry signed a contract with Sea Fountain One on 12 January 2017 to restore the fountain to its original state by the end of the year. Restoration work, is to cost about €4 million since the damage was worse than expected.
thumb|left|Restoration on the rest of the fountain on site, in June 2017
The Triton figures began to be dismantled on 4 February 2017,
Formal inauguration
thumb|Plaque commemorating the fountain's inauguration in 2018
The restored fountain was finally (59 years late) officially inaugurated on 12 January 2018, by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. The works were completed a week ahead of Valletta taking its position as European Capital of Culture 2018. It was stated that the restoration cost amounted to €4.5 million.
The maintenance of the fountain has always been the remit and jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (PWD) under the Director General Architect Stephen Bonello and through its specialized Manufacturing and Servicing Department (MSD) and its Director Ing. Ray Caruana. Keeping it in perfect it condition has been the hallmark of all Permanent Secretaries succeeding Mr. Cutajar namely being Mr. Johan Galea and Mr. Joseph Caruana.
Legacy
To commemorate the 5th Anniversary from the Triton Fountain formal inauguration, Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi through his Permanent Secretary Carlos Tabone was instrumental to collaborate with MaltaPost to issue a number of commemorative stamps on Monday 11 December 2023. The event coincided with the appointment of Mr. Kenneth Cauchi as the first official Curator of the Triton Fountain.
By prior appointment with the Public Works Department through the Triton Fountain Curator, the 500 square metre plus underground complex of the fountain is open for a limited number of visitors, students and specific groups (Terms & Conditions apply).
Such is the legacy that is being promoted now that the Triton Fountain has been reinstated as one of the most prominent European landmarks and a centre of applied excellence serving both as a cultural heritage attraction and a manifest of a well-maintained electro-mechanical hydraulic plant.