After talks with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH), the Public Works Department was advised to close a WW2 shelter uncovered in Sliema with new concrete slabs as the old ones were in a very bad condition, a spokesperson for the Infrastructure Ministry told the Malta Independent.

A World War II air raid shelter was discovered while the government was conducting works on Sliema’s Annunciation Square.

The spokesperson noted that this project is being supervised by the Public Works Department, and explained that a manhole was also added to ease and provide more secure access to the shelter.

Consequently, discussions are currently underway between the SCH officials and the architect in charge on behalf of the Public Works Department to decide on the best way forward in preserving the shelter. These would include plans on mapping and recording the existing discovery in terms of photographic records and site surveys.

“The Ministry shall abide by the instructions and direction provided by historical experts as well as respect all the conditions issued by the Planning Authority (PA) permit,” the ministry spokesperson said.

Due to the historical find, the works around the historical shelter were stopped. However, the rest of the works not directly adjacent to the shelter can still proceed, so as not to hinder the progress of works on site, the spokesperson said.

Photo above Daniela Said, photo below Suzanne Gollcher

It was also noted that the Sliema Local Council is not interested in keeping the historical shelter open to the public. If that were to be done, more car parking spaces would be needed, this newsroom was informed.