Time to call in the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage to save Hondoq
Published on The Malta Independent on Sunday on Sunday 7th January, 2008 by Lesley Kreupl.
I cannot believe that the spectre of a marina complex in Hondoq is once again on the books. Apart from the marina and tourist complex, I now hear that a so-called “temporary” road is going to be built at the end of the Immaculate Conception Sanctuary, passing up to the left in front of the existing block of flats leading to the quarry. According to the Hondoq Project Environment Impact Study (EIS), this is being done in order to minimise the inconvenience of trucks laden with rubble passing through the Kuncizzjoni hamlet!
Are the inhabitants of Malta and Gozo aware of the destruction that even this little road would do – there are tombs under the street next to the church, a wall constructed with huge stones is also buried there, probably the remains of a pagan temple which, according to local tradition, existed there. Cart ruts can be seen nearby, as well as tombs dating to the Paleo-Christian period that have not yet even been investigated, ancient huts and oval-shaped girna, caves which were once inhabited by religious hermits, the list is endless.
We are not talking about a little stony field for goodness sake, but an area in an Out of Development Zone that is known to be rich in archaeological remains!
I do feel that it is about time that the “Superintendence of Cultural Heritage” is called in to give an independent assessment of this terribly sensitive part of the Gozo coastline, where so much has already been destroyed. Unfortunately, this department often seems to react at the 11th hour, or even when it may be too late, thus risking the loss of so many incredible archaeological sites in the Maltese archipelago. Being an independent organisation, the country relies on it to help where others have failed. I am aware that the islands have an enormous wealth of cultural/historical/archaeological sites and that it is simply not feasible to attempt to preserve every single one, but surely, where it is not absolutely necessary to destroy such sites, they should be preserved for future generations.
The Hondoq Project Environment Impact Study (EIS) is most illuminating; the experts who compiled it found many remains in the area where the construction of a hotel, 25 villas and 260 flats has been proposed. These range from archaeological ones, possibly dating back to the Bronze Age, to relatively recent relics from the period of the Order of St John. The developers’ study also states clearly that there are probably many other archaeological deposits that have not yet been uncovered.
Unfortunately, due to quarrying in the area, the huge sea cave known as Ta l-Ghassa, as well as two amazing fougasses that used to protect the Comino channel, have already been lost for ever. Who knows what other gems will just disappear under the rubble of the road and project? This EIS alone is proof enough that the whole area should be protected as part of a future Maltese National Park system. If this is not done in the very near future, then what is left of this wonderful heritage will be lost forever, not only to the Qala community, but also for all generations to come.
I cannot believe that the spectre of a marina complex in Hondoq is once again on the books. Apart from the marina and tourist complex, I now hear that a so-called “temporary” road is going to be built at the end of the Immaculate Conception Sanctuary, passing up to the left in front of the existing block of flats leading to the quarry. According to the Hondoq Project Environment Impact Study (EIS), this is being done in order to minimise the inconvenience of trucks laden with rubble passing through the Kuncizzjoni hamlet!
Are the inhabitants of Malta and Gozo aware of the destruction that even this little road would do – there are tombs under the street next to the church, a wall constructed with huge stones is also buried there, probably the remains of a pagan temple which, according to local tradition, existed there. Cart ruts can be seen nearby, as well as tombs dating to the Paleo-Christian period that have not yet even been investigated, ancient huts and oval-shaped girna, caves which were once inhabited by religious hermits, the list is endless.
We are not talking about a little stony field for goodness sake, but an area in an Out of Development Zone that is known to be rich in archaeological remains!
I do feel that it is about time that the “Superintendence of Cultural Heritage” is called in to give an independent assessment of this terribly sensitive part of the Gozo coastline, where so much has already been destroyed. Unfortunately, this department often seems to react at the 11th hour, or even when it may be too late, thus risking the loss of so many incredible archaeological sites in the Maltese archipelago. Being an independent organisation, the country relies on it to help where others have failed. I am aware that the islands have an enormous wealth of cultural/historical/archaeological sites and that it is simply not feasible to attempt to preserve every single one, but surely, where it is not absolutely necessary to destroy such sites, they should be preserved for future generations.
The Hondoq Project Environment Impact Study (EIS) is most illuminating; the experts who compiled it found many remains in the area where the construction of a hotel, 25 villas and 260 flats has been proposed. These range from archaeological ones, possibly dating back to the Bronze Age, to relatively recent relics from the period of the Order of St John. The developers’ study also states clearly that there are probably many other archaeological deposits that have not yet been uncovered.
Unfortunately, due to quarrying in the area, the huge sea cave known as Ta l-Ghassa, as well as two amazing fougasses that used to protect the Comino channel, have already been lost for ever. Who knows what other gems will just disappear under the rubble of the road and project? This EIS alone is proof enough that the whole area should be protected as part of a future Maltese National Park system. If this is not done in the very near future, then what is left of this wonderful heritage will be lost forever, not only to the Qala community, but also for all generations to come.
posted by Hondoq at
6:52 PM
