The Roman Villa in Żejtun dating back to the First and Second Century AD will undergo a preservation programme initiated by Din l-Art Ħelwa and the University of Malta with the help of the HSBC Malta Foundation.

The preservation programme, which is expected to take two years, will protect the ruins from water infiltration, invasive vegetation, and exposure to the elements. It will be undertaken jointly by the University’s Department of Classics and Archaeology and the Department of the Built Environment. Urgent conservation measures are scheduled to take place after a protective tent is erected on parts of the site this summer.

The Roman Villa is located within the grounds of the St Thomas More Junior Lyceum School for Girls. This makes this project doubly significant in the field of conservation as students have the opportunity to watch the programme unfold and participate in its progress first hand. Students have also been involved in research and documentation.

The Roman Villa in Żejtun is only one of four remaining residential or industrial sites in Malta that date to this period. The other three are the Roman Domus in Rabat, San Pawl Milqi and Ta’ Kaċċatura in Birżebbuġa. Important remains at the Villa include original Roman tiles and coloured stucco that show a sophisticated arrangement of domestic and industrial activity for the production of olive oil.

Simone Mizzi, Executive President of Din l-Art Ħelwa, said: “This project is important to Malta as much heritage dating from Punic and Roman times has been lost. It is particularly significant for the town of Żejtun where people take much pride in its cultural assets and there is much activity already to raise awareness of its rich historical past.”

On behalf of the Din l-Art Ħelwa, Ms Mizzi thanked HSBC Malta Foundation, represented by Martin Scicluna, as Director of the HSBC Malta Foundation, for recognizing the value of the Roman Villa site both as an archaeological asset and for research, and for making the University project become a reality.

“The HSBC Malta Foundation is working actively on present in the preservation of Malta’s heritage and the environment. For this reason, we are not only helping financially, but we are also providing support with the hands-on assistance of our staff members who volunteer their own time to assist in this project,” said Mr Scicluna.

Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Culture and the Environment Dr Mario de Marco visited the site where 65 HSBC volunteers and university students were involved in a series of initial clean-ups to clear the area of invasive growth and other debris. Dr Nicholas Vella, who is leading the project for the University, accompanied Dr de Marco round the site and gave an overview of the main features of the villa and the work to be undertaken.