Featured

08 Jan

Join Us in Urging the U.S. Government to Protect Iran’s Cultural Heritage Sites

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has long recognized that the intentional destruction of cultural sites is a blemish on all humankind—a principle now enshrined in international law. Historic places around the world are part of the cultural heritage that belongs to all of us. We suffer a collective loss when places of cultural significance are destroyed in times of conflict...

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05 Oct

Dire need for buffer zones – Joanna Spiteri Staines

  The Sunday Times of Malta (September 29) carried a full page advert from the Planning Authority (PA) with an attractive image of a patinated timber louvered panelled door and the headline message: “Preserving our Heritage is not expensive: it’s Priceless”. Rather interesting to see the Planning Authority marketing itself as respecting Malta’s heritage. Truth be told, I personally know many...

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21 Aug

How to replace two protected houses with a nine-storey block, by Alex Torpiano

This is the story of two late 19th/early 20thcentury, Grade 2 scheduled, houses located within the St.Julian’s Urban Conservation Area, and abutting a “safeguarded area of natural coastline”, (North Harbours Local Plan policy, NHCV03). As Preface, in 2014, the redevelopment of the interior of the smaller house, is proposed behind the retained ca. 5.2m façade. The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage...

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16 Aug

Authorities dragging their feet over fuel stations

PRESS RELEASE Din l-Art Helwa notes that the saga on the fuel station relocation policy goes on, with the risk that yet more land outside development zone is lost to the unquenchable thirst for such facilities whilst a proper policy is being drawn up. The preparation of the update of the fuel stations policy was first announced in January 2018. Sixteen...

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13 Aug

Vernacular buildings need protection too

PRESS RELEASE Din l-Art Helwa congratulates the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage and the Planning Authority for the scheduling of ten further buildings of historic importance. We urge both the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage and the Planning Authority to further their efforts in a nationwide exercise for scheduling of the many historic properties which are as yet awaiting such a degree of...

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30 Jul

Onslaught on heritage in the heart of Sliema

PRESS RELEASE The unbridled onslaught on Urban Conservation Areas in the very heart of Sliema is set to continue, says heritage NGO Din l-Art Helwa, if a planning application for the demolition of a complete stretch of five row houses, part of the traditional streetscape of Depiro Street, goes through. The proposal is for the wholesale demolition of five row houses from the early...

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25 Jul

TA’ XUTU TOWER IN WIED IŻ-ZURRIEQ IS RESTORED AND OPEN FOR VISITORS

  Din l-Art Ħelwa is pleased to announce that the historic Ta’ Xutu Tower at Wied iż-Żurrieq in Qrendi is now open for visitors.  Seen here  illuminated for the night of its inauguration, the Xutu Tower is the 10th coastal watch tower saved for the nation by Din l-Art Ħelwa since its foundation in 1965.   The restoration project, which included important...

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