Bank of Valletta and Heritage Malta yesterday launched the concept for a visitor centre as part of the BOV Tarxien Temples project.
The visitor centre is the first phase in the conservation project that has been proposed for the prehistoric temples complex in Tarxien, a project with the patronage of Bank of Valletta.
The visitor centre is intended to provide a proper place where visitors to the Tarxien Temples can be offered additional presentation material, which will assist in the appreciation of this World Heritage site.
The BOV Tarxien Temples visitor centre concept was launched by a multi-media presentation to the media by Prof. Alex Torpiano, project architect on behalf of TBA Periti, who developed the concept, and who is coordinating the preparation of the structural and architectural detailing work for this project.
Also present were Culture and Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, BOV CEO Tonio Depasquale, and Heritage Malta CEO Antoinette Caruana.
Ms Caruana spoke of the urgent need for Heritage Malta sites to be better equipped with visitor centres in order to ensure that visitors enjoy an enhanced experience during their visit to museums and sites.
Prof. Torpiano explained how the BOV Tarxien Temples visitor centre, covering an estimated total floor area of around 700 square metres, will link to an elevated walkway system that will go round the temple site, providing, first of all, elevated view-points which are currently not available; secondly, full accessibility to persons with disability right into the temple complex itself; and, thirdly, greater control on visitor flow, so as to reduce surface erosion caused by foot traffic over the whole of the site.
“The BOV Tarxien Temples visitor centre has been designed to impact as little as possible on the site, whereas the supporting structure is designed to rest on the existing rock without excavation thus having the building raised off the ground. The complex will also be fully accessible, even though there are no mechanical vertical transportation features, thus allowing groups of visitors to move together, irrespective of any mobility impairments.
“The construction of the BOV Tarxien Temples visitor centre is designed to be as light as possible, and will not include traditional, heavy systems which are also difficult to remove. The building will not depend on mechanical cooling, but will be designed so that the thermal capacity of the fabric, natural ventilation and shading devices provide a pleasant environment to the visitor.”
Prof. Torpiano added that “the new BOV Tarxien Temples visitor centre will include a new modern lobby area designed to accommodate a coach full of visitors and access to a cafeteria and a book and souvenir shop. The next part of the visitor centre will include static and audio-visual presentations on the Tarxien temple site, to better prepare the visitor, as well as to provide a way of controlling the number of visitors actually on the temple site. This area will mark the beginning and end of the actual visit to the temples.
He said the audio-visual display area will double as a multi-purpose lecture hall, which could be used for evening lectures. Another important feature will be an area dedicated to children – an activity area with opportunities for a hands-on initiation to archaeology.
“In addition, an exhibition area at first floor level will offer the opportunity for the centre to host exhibitions related to the site, as well as to other cultural themes. The complex will also include new sanitary facilities, a ticket booth and a cloakroom.”
“The proposed location of the visitor centre will also enjoy more visibility, as befitting a site of this caliber making the visitor centre a landmark for the neighbourhood as well as an important educational and cultural for all the schools in the locality,” Prof. Torpiano concluded.
BOV’s CEO Tonio Depasquale said the bank was delighted to see the concept being launched and with construction planned to start upon receipt of the necessary permits.
“We are committed to invest Lm190,000 over a period of 10 years in the BOV Tarxien Temples project – a commitment which reinforces the Heritage Pillar of the bank’s Community Programme,” he said.