Roman era remains covered up by illegal Manoel Island padel courts

The illegal padel courts that sprang up on Manoel Island are built atop Roman-era archaeological remains, with one academic calling for their restoration and incorporation into the future national park.

The courts are the subject of Planning Authority application PA/07995/25, submitted by Gżira United Football Club. Even though the application is in its initial stages, work began without a permit in March.

Following a report by Manoel Island: Post Għalina, the movement which successfully lobbied the government to take back the land and turn it into a park, the PA halted works.

According to the application, the club is now asking for partial sanctioning of the courts.

The archaeological finds were uncovered and documented during excavation works related to the previous project by MIDI plc, which has now been scrapped.

Satellite imagery from Google Earth shows some of the findings; what look like dotted lines are vine trenches believed to be from the classical period, either Roman or Punic in origin.

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage confirmed the existence of the remains. “All cultural features present on site were subject to archaeological investigation and documentation in relation to approved development permits affecting the site,” a SCH spokesperson told Times of Malta.

“In the area where sports facilities are being formed, cultural features consist of alignments of agricultural trenches possibly dating to the classical period as well as slit trenches dating to the Second World War.”

The agency said that any reinstatement work will be subject to archaeological monitoring following the approval of proposed methodology.

Timmy Gambin, who lectures at the Department of Classics and Archaeology at the University of Malta, called for the finds, which he said were the largest set of vine trenches ever discovered in Malta, to be restored.

“Now that the government has committed to giving the area back to the public, the remains, which potentially also include an ancient quarry, should be integrated into the national park as a kind of living history. For example, they should be returned to their original use and be used for the planting of trees,” he said.

Gżira United FC could not be contacted for comment.

NGO Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, which forms part of Manoel Island: Post Għalina, said one of its main objections to the original MIDI project was the destruction of heritage, the Roman structures that lie just underwater close to Manoel Island bridge, and the remains of the Lazaretto cemeteries which were to be built over in MIDI's initial plans. 

"FAA therefore maintains that the padel courts cannot be sanctioned and completed, as that would not only validate abusive development, it would also undermine the whole concept of Manoel Island as an island for people, not profit."

Last week, NGO Moviment Graffitti, another key player in the campaign, released drone footage that showed a bird’s-eye view of the illegal works. The images indicate that some of the courts are at an advanced stage of development, with some seemingly nearing completion.

It urged the government to ensure any development on Manoel Island is in line with the long-term vision for the site.

In March, Prime Minister Robert Abela had confirmed the site was part of a concession to the football club but added that works must proceed according to the law. On Tuesday, MIDI shareholders approved the €43 million deal for Manoel Island and Fort Tigné on Tuesday afternoon, effectively bringing an end to the almost three-decade saga.

In March, parliament unanimously approved a €43 million deal for MIDI to return both Manoel Island and Fort Tigné to the state, effectively annulling part of the concession granted to the company in 2000.