In spite of objections from the Heritage Advisory Committee, it seems that Valletta Port, a private company, has been given the right over all of our Grand Harbour and has started destroying an important part of our maritime heritage, in fact the only part of the original shoreline that still exists − the area in front of the Customs House at Lascaris. 

This landing place is immortalized in many historic photographs, as it was the place where monarchs and presidents came ashore when visiting Malta. It is also very strongly linked to the old dghajsa landing area. Furthermore, it is said that there is still part of the original maritime construction on wooden logs underneath. How is it possible that the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage does nothing to protect our heritage? What need is there to enlarge the land area for cruise ships when their number are going down and not up? 

A solution could have been found to avoid the destruction of this small part of the landing place, but in reality there is no real interest to protect our heritage. We are in the hands of people who are only interested in exploiting what we have economically. 

George Portelli

VALLETTA