TMID Editorial: Protecting a 17th century coastal tower
The news that one of the 17th century coastal towers is in danger of collapsing was reported this week.The Malta Police Force said on Monday that the area surrounding the 17th century coastal tower at Għajn Tuffieħa had been closed off to t
The news that one of the 17th century coastal towers is in danger of collapsing was reported this week.
The Malta Police Force said on Monday that the area surrounding the 17th century coastal tower at Għajn Tuffieħa had been closed off to the public "due to significant safety risks."
Completed in 1637, Għajn Tuffieħa Tower was the second of the Lascaris Towers built by the Order of St John.
Din l-Art Ħelwa had, in a statement, said that the danger of collapse is due to movement in the cliff face. Executive President of Din l-Art Ħelwa Patrick Calleja said that the Għajn Tuffieħa tower deserves to be dismantled and relocated for historical and cultural reasons.
It is good that the site has been hoarded off for safety reasons. One hopes that there is also someone present on site to prevent those who might try to ignore the signs to get a closer snap with the tower.
Secondly, we have the advantage of knowing that there is a danger to this historical structure, and so the authorities can act. Calleja's recommendation of dismantling and relocating is a recommendation that merits serious consideration, lest the situation deteriorates and it becomes too late.
Responding to questions by this newsroom, the culture ministry said that the coastal area underlying the Ghajn Tuffieha tower is being monitored for any movements by the competent body responsible for coastal erosion. "The precautionary stance taken to cordon off the area does not imply that it has been established that said cliffs are in imminent danger of collapse. Indeed, further investigation might even lead to conclude that the tower's foundations are totally sound. Until such time that this is established, it is premature to consider any drastic solution such as shifting the tower further inwards. Over the past two years, the coastal area underlying the Ghajn Tuffieha tower has been monitored by the Public Works Department and will conduct a detailed geotechnical assessment of its stability."
A study in 2007 showed that precarious movements on the cliff edge that the tower is built on had already been registered. The studies the ministry mentioned must be carried out quickly. The Public Works Department must not waste any time in carrying out the geotechnical assessment.
One hopes that the stance taken by the ministry is the right move, as losing such a historic building would be tragic to say the least. If the authorities note any worsening of the site, or gain further confirmation of the danger to the structure, then they must act quickly to relocate it.
It must be pointed out that there is also quite a contrast in how the authorities are acting with regards to relocation in this case when compared to the case regarding the relocation of the barracks in Fort Chambray, where the Planning Authority authorised the dismantling and relocation of the barracks when it was not in danger of collapse.
Really and truly historic buildings should not be relocated to make way for other structures, but rather if a permit allowing newer buildings is being granted then they should complement the existing historic structure where it stands. Historic buildings should be protected on the site that they were built. The relocation of historic structures should only take place if there is a danger to that building, such as the ground becoming unstable.
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