Two statues dating back to the early 19th century have gone missing, according to a number of NGOs and civil society groups.
Every effort that has been made to protect Malta’s historical and architectural patrimony, through cultural heritage legislation, is disappearing literally, into thin air, they said in a statement.
This is what happened to the two statues of St Rocco and St Publius which until some weeks ago adorned the façade of an early nineteenth century (possibly earlier) residence on Marina Street, Msida.
The statues have vanished, while an application for the total demolition of this property (PA 00852/18) was only just submitted and is still undergoing screening. This, notwithstanding the fact that they were listed in the National Inventory of the Cultural Property of the Maltese Islands, in 2012, and their cultural heritage value assessment considered “high”.
The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has been informed, and the undersigned organisations demand that an Emergency Conservation Order be issued on this property, as well as no effort spared to recover the missing statues.
This case is a worrying example of the way cultural heritage is being completely disregarded when it comes to re-development of old buildings, and sympthomatic of an attitude where breaking the law is the rule of the day.
The statement was signed by: Din l-Art Ħelwa, Kamra Tal-Periti, Flimkien Għall-Ambjent Ahjar, Wirt iz-Zejtun, Friends of Villa Frere, Department of Architecture and Urban Design, The History of Art and Fine Arts Students' Association and the Department of Art and Art History- University of Malta, The Archaeological Society Malta, European Architecture Students Assembly Malta, Society of Architecture and Civil Engineering Students, Wirt Għawdex, Malta Association of Professional Conservator-Restorers, Wirt San Gwann and Wirt iż-Żejtun
