Academics criticise ‘abysmal failure’ to protect Siġġiewi church ruins
Art historians warn development next to Siġġiewi church ruins will “irretrievably” damage heritage context
A number of university academics and art historians have condemned the Planning Authority’s “abysmal failure” to protect the ruins of an old church in Siġġiewi following a recent rezoning which will lead to multi-storey development next door.
In a statement co-signed by head of department Mark Sagona along with several other academics, the Department of Art and Art History within the Faculty of Arts slammed the “gross insensitivity and abysmal failure of our authorities to protect and safeguard one of the more important works of our architectural heritage”.
Last month the PA approved a rezoning application that will pave the way for three-storey residential buildings to be constructed on an abandoned plot of land beside the ruins of the 400-year old parish church of Siġġiewi dedicated to St Nicholas.
“The decision will irretrievably and permanently compromise the visual integrity and context of this historical site as the new development will completely overwhelm the architectural ruins,” Sagona said.
The old parish church, locally known as il-knisja l-qadima, dates back to the 15th century after the village became a parish. During the 16th and early 17th century, it was enlarged and was extended to its current form.
Remnants of the old parish church include remains of the ribbed-masonry wall and an ornately carved stone reredos attributed to the architect Tumas Dingli.
After the construction of the new parish church, the old church was abandoned and formed part of an agricultural landholding.
In 2006 and 2007, the ruins of the church were restored by the Restoration Unit of the Ministry of Resources and Infrastructure, as it was known then, under the direction of Perit Norbert Gatt.
The restoration project was the recipient of a Silver Medal and Prix d’Honneur in 2008 by Din L-Art Ħelwa.
The statement was signed by Dr Mark Sagona, Prof Keith Sciberras, Prof Conrad Thake, Dr Christian Attard, Dr Gilbert Calleja, Dr Matthew Attard, Dr Frederica Agius, and Jesmond Vassallo.