Mdina bastions’ agricultural ruins set for reconstruction

The heavily weathered ruins of roofless agricultural rooms, just below the Mdina bastions are set for reconstruction after the Planning Directorate issued its go ahead. A final decision will be taken by the Environment Planning Commission on 13 July.

Aerial photos show that the roofs of three rooms set below the bastions had already collapsed before 1967.  

The Superintendence for Cultural Heritage had strongly objected to a previous application to rebuild the rooms over a larger footprint by a previous owner. But when consulted on this application the cultural watchdog failed to give its feedback.  

The Environment Protection Directorate warned that the ruins of the formerly existing rooms should not serve as a pretext for a new room. It also claimed that it is “dubious” whether the size of the proposed store reflect the dimensions of the pre-1967 structure depicted in a 1968 survey sheet.  

But the case officer disputed this claim, insisting that all structures are visible in aerial photos taken before 1967. 

The case officer also argued that the restoration of old vernacular buildings is encouraged by the new rural policy.

The proposal involves the partial demolition of the dilapidated walls of two rooms at ground level, the demolition of the external stone slab stairs and the demolition of the room at first floor level.  The rooms and the stairs will be rebuilt on the original footprint. The structures will still be used for agricultural purposes.

Din l-Art Helwa are objecting to the proposed development, saying that although in its current state of ruin the buildings are “inconspicuous”, if rebuilt they would clash with the fortifications, creating an eyesore. 

The environmental organization is also pointing out that the room on the first floor was a later addition and insisted that no newly built structure should be allowed to obstruct the fortifications of Mdina.   

MEPA’s Heritage Advisory Panel expressed a different opinion. According to the HAC since the structure is quite old it can also be considered to form part of the landscape, including the fortifications.

The panel added that it has no objection as long as the existing footprint and height of building is maintained, and called on the applicant to use the existing weathered stone in the restored structure.

A restoration method statement presented by the architect of the project claims that the building is a “good example of Maltese rural architecture.” The new building will include timber apertures and stone will be used from “selected quarries” with colour matching the existing building.

Brian Azzopardi, who is being assisted by architect and government advisor Robert Musumeci, presented the application.