The old Valletta quarantine, or Barriera as it is better known, is falling to pieces and collapsing into the sea. 

The building used to have a conical wave-breaking foundation, a unique architectural feature for the Maltese islands, and served as a temporary quarantine for new arrivals into Valletta during the British period.  It holds a marble plaque with a Latin inscription reading Hanc Fecit Popularum Amor (The love of the peoples made this).

The building was listed as a Grade 1 historic monument in 2008, which means that it has great historical and architectural value and may not be altered.  It is however being allowed to fall to pieces, and there is clear evidence of where parts of the building, including the conical architectural feature, have collapsed into the sea.

An appeal has been made on social media for the authorities concerned to take action and save what is left of this historical building.

Photos Edward Said