Nothing will replace the beauty of the Azure Window in Dwejra, which collapsed in a storm yesterday, but Gozitans will be able to console themselves with another natural window, which is still intact although very much open to the elements as the Dwejra icon was.

It is situated in Wied il-Mielah, limits of Gharb, and the area is is less accessible than the Dwejra arch was, and therefore more protected from erosion caused by human presence. It was a known fact that the many people who crossed over the arch in Dwejra were doing inestimable damage to the structure, and no doubt contributed to its eventual collapse.

Dwejra 08032017 from The Malta Independent on Vimeo.

It is hoped that the Wied il-Mielah arch will not become the target of people wanting to cross over for a few moments of pleasure, with their accumulated weight gradually causing irreparable damage. The authorities would do well to immediately take action to stop this from happening before it is too late, as happened in the Dwejra case.

The Wied il-Mielah window may not be as attractive as the Dwejra structure, and certainly was not featured in Clash of the Titans or Game of Thrones, but is deserves to be safeguarded for us and future generations.

The photos below show the way The Malta Independent reported the collapse of the Azure Window in its print edition.