NGOS urge halt to development threatening temple sitE

A coalition of environmental and cultural heritage NGOs has called for immediate intervention to stop what they describe as the ongoing destruction of archaeological remains near the Sta Verna Temple in Xagħra, Gozo.

“This is not just Malta’s heritage—it is world heritage that is being lost,” said Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Għawdix, Moviment Graffitti, Ramblers Association of Malta, Vuci Kollettiva, and Wirt Għawdex in a joint statement earlier in the week. 

The NGOs are urging the Prime Minister and the Minister for Cultural Heritage to halt all nearby development and to preserve the remains in accordance with the Cultural Heritage Act, the Planning Act, and the Council of Europe Landscape Convention.

The Sta Verna area is considered highly significant archaeologically—predating even the Ġgantija Temples. According to Malta’s Cultural Heritage Act (Chapter 445), all individuals in Malta have a duty to protect cultural heritage, including conserving, restoring, and intervening where necessary. The NGOs argue that this obligation is being ignored by both developers and authorities.

Investigations only began after residents discovered bones on-site and Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar filed a report with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH). Photos from the area show a pit filled with bones and others scattered on the site entrance. These remains were later acknowledged by the project’s archaeologist.

The JB Arch Team, tasked with the site works, confirmed in an email dated 8 April 2023 that bones were found in three areas. A 3D model of the remains was created, but no analysis had yet been conducted. They also reported a collapsed cave roof and referenced a previous investigation.

Despite this, NGOs report that development continues daily on several adjacent plots, including those tied to Planning Authority application PA 05171/23, even though permits have not been issued. Plots 22A, 22B, 21A, 14, 15, and part of Plot 16, where the bone pit was found—are reportedly being bulldozed without oversight.

There are also unconfirmed reports that additional remains, including another tomb, may have been found and not disclosed.

The NGOs are demanding the immediate suspension of a permit for a nearby stable development, which they claim was approved based on a false land ownership declaration, the land in question is government-owned. 

They are also calling on the SCH to issue an Emergency Conservation Order and conduct detailed studies of the entire area.

“All dumped material must be recovered, and no further destruction allowed,” they said, warning that bones, pottery, and cave structures are all under threat. “This is a clear case of heritage being lost before it is even properly understood.”