Wirt San Ġwann is an official NGO (VO/0893) founded in June 2013 to promote the cultural heritage in San Ġwann and encourage the appreciation and protection of the locality's cultural and historical heritage. Over the years, the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage has maintained that of all the towns and villages around the Harbour Area, San Ġwann has the richest surviving collection of archaeological sites comprising Punic, Saracen and Roman remains.  

Yet, lack of interest and enthusiasm about our heritage seems to be ingrained in our authorities and people in general. No serious surveys have been carried out and hardly anything has been done to preserve and protect these precious relics of the past. Most of the scheduled sites are suffering either from unauthorised intervention, deterioration or neglect. In my time as mayor, I approached the Museum Department and the PA only to be told that a total plan for the area was being considered. But since then nothing has happened and the historical sites keep deteriorating.

The Ta' Ċieda Roman tower, which Thomas Ashby assigned to the Phoenician period in 1915, is in a pitiful abandoned state. Bureaucracy hindered the local council from rehabilitating the site. Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna tried to help and even submitted an initial plan for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the tower but had no response from the authorities. We have been told that this tower "may have served as a centre point around which one of Malta's more important mediaeval settlements had developed due to late Roman economic activity in the area". Contrary to strong representations, the area was extensively developed to the detriment of "one of Malta's more important sites which bridged Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages".

The rectangular Roman cistern nearby has great archaeological value not only because of its uniqueness and antiquity but also for its construction technique. According to the Museum Department and the Antiquities Committee, this hidden gem should have been secured by a protective buffer zone. An acknowledged Roman masonry wall is still buried in the little field near the cistern. Yet, we are aware of speculators who are keen to develop this delicate area to the detriment of our wonderful past history.

The local council has been clamouring for years to rehabilitate and embellish the pre-historic cart ruts which are practically the best preserved in Malta. Eventually, they were passed on to the Council, but devolution is certainly not enough. Many plans have been drawn up for this particular spot which often attracts German tourists and students. But finances have been seriously lacking and they are still surrounded by chicken wire, not to mention the impudent encroachment of a particular neighbour who has made his own part of the area.  

The ancient chapel of San Ġwann tal-Għargħar has been crying for restoration, conservation and management. This chapel has not only given its name to our locality but was used regularly by locals before the present parish church was built. Its history dates back to 1615 but today it has been completely ruined by the additional built rooms attached to it.

The Superintendent of Cultural Heritage maintains that he is keeping as close an eye as possible on the heritage assets of San Ġwann. But keeping an eye on them is definitely not enough.  

If any resident of San Ġwann is really interested in our heritage, he can join our Committee or just become an ordinary member by writing to me on [email protected]

Tony C. Cutajar

Secretary, Wirt San Ġwann