Malta has numerous heritage sites. From the Hypogeum and the temples found around the island, to Roman ruins and walled cities, and more recent fortifications built by the British, there’s so much history.

Many sites are turned into tourist attractions, are well taken care of and have seen refurbishments over the years. Fort St Angelo and Fort St Elmo for instance, or the Cittadella, are three major tourist attractions that come to mind.

There are sites like St John’s Co Cathedral, which is, of course, a masterpiece.

There are also sites that are today still in use, and here we are not referring to tourism purposes. For example a number of Auberges in Valletta house government ministries. Then there are the beautiful walled cities like Valletta, Mdina, and the Three Cities.

But then there are other sites which are in a state of disrepair and which could, potentially, be great tourist attractions if they could be repaired and cared for.

Two examples which have been mentioned many-a-time in Fort Campbell and Selmun Palace. Both are in a bad state and the former has some dangerous areas. But if the fort could be repaired, it could be an excellent place where families could spend a day out, and would be another open space with historic value which could be of benefit for the community.

Another example of a site in disrepair is tied to the old rail line. During Floriana’s Ġenna ta’ Ġonna event this past weekend, a tour of the old Floriana train station was held. The old station is completely abandoned and let go, yet still forms part of our history. The site could be made into a tourist attraction if works were carried out, possibly a museum of sorts about the old trains that used to run.

The younger generations should be able to see these sites that are part of our history.

Refurbishing and repairing historic sites is costly. So one understands why some sites are given priority over others. But one hopes that as time goes by, more and more of our heritage sites will be repaired.

Heritage Malta has done a fantastic job with many sites around the country. Then there are a number of NGOs that also take care of a number of historic sites, and they, too, do a good job. Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna and Din L-Art Helwa come to mind as two examples, there are others which care for natural sites around the country also.

Many attractions around the country are well looked after, and we must continue to preserve what we can.

Sadly the same cannot be said about the aesthetics and the feel of many of our towns and villages. They too form part of our heritage, however the Planning Authority over the years has failed to preserve many areas. There are ways one could allow an apartment block to be built which does not destroy the aesthetic of an area, as one can see abroad, yet sadly in Malta such examples were not followed.