Thirty-seven (37) additions to the National Inventory

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has announced the addition of thirty-seven properties and features to the National Inventory. A number of these properties are already scheduled or else have been proposed for scheduling by the Superintendence within the past three years (ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 3).

These cultural heritage properties and features include private residential buildings of exceptional value, such as Aedis Danielis in Żejtun and Dar il-Bebbux in Għaxaq, as well as historically functional structures such as the Vendome Tower in Żejtun and the Abattoir Water Tower in Marsa. Furthermore, the additions also include ancillary structures such as an animals’ water trough in Żejtun and the Empire Stadium Gatehouse in Gżira.

The Superintendence reminds readers that the National Inventory is separate from the scheduling process of the Planning Authority, wherein the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage is imbued with the authority and duty of curating a National Inventory of cultural heritage property in Malta. The Superintendence may however recommend properties and features of outsanding cultural heritage value for scheduling to the Planning Authority, which would enshrine them in an additional layer of protection.

This addition therefore reinforces these properties’ and features’ inherent value as outstanding cultural heritage features that not only merit recognition in the National Inventory but also their scheduling.

As outlined in Article 59(1) and Article 70 of the Cultural Heritage Act 2002 (as amended), it is imperative to note that any development or intervention on these properties requires prior approval from the Superintendent. Furthermore, causing damage to any of the properties included in the Inventory, even if privately owned, is strictly prohibited and constitutes an offense punishable by law.

The Superintendence encourages the public to visit the GIS Interface on our website, which not only serves as a portal of information for all sites located in the National Inventory, but can also easily highlight the latest additions when selecting “Latest Entries” on the lefthand navigator.

The National Inventory is a cultural heritage register curated and compiled by the Superintendence as one of its functions established by the Cultural Heritage Act (CAP 445).

The full list of properties recently added to the Inventory can be found on Government Gazzette No. 21,248, dated 24, May, 2024 (G.N. 640).