Another successful and well-attended event took place recently at the Qala Battery, led by volunteer-run heritage and environmental charity Din l-Art Helwa – Ghawdex, working in partnership with Qala Local Council and the Gozo-based voluntary clean up group ‘Nadur Nadif’.’

DLHGh said that local residents were joined by Maltese and island visitors, including Agnès von der Mühll, the French Ambassador to Malta some of her embassy colleagues, as well as members of Alliance Française de Malte (French Cultural Institute) who were eager to learn more about the unique history of this knights-era heritage site located on Gozo’s east coast.

Built in 1732 at a strategic position to best defend the sea channel between Gozo and Comino, this unique military site was built at the expense of Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena. Locally the site is known as ‘Batterija ta’ Sant’ Antin’ and ‘It-Trunciera tal-Qala.’

This free event provided the perfect opportunity to access this protected heritage site and appreciate the military architecture and restoration works at two talks given by Dr. Stanley Farrugia Randon, a Council member with Din l-Art Helwa for over 30 years, and the author of numerous articles and books on topics related to health, the environment and heritage sites of the Maltese Islands.

Qala Local Council fully supported the event and provided visitors with free copies of the ‘Il-Qala Heritage Trail’ booklet, listing six different walks to further appreciate the diverse cultural heritage found in the easternmost village of Gozo.Also, on the day, members of the Gozo-based, voluntary clean up group ‘Nadur Nadif’ carried out a litter pick along the length of the road on the outskirts of Qala leading down to the coastal battery site.

Anyone who would like to volunteer to help with future clean-up sessions, please visit the Nadur Nadif Facebook page for more details https://www.facebook.com/nadurnadif

This event follows on from previously well-attended DLHGh activities, which have included, wildflower and nature walks, Maltese Bat talks and several Dark Sky Night and star-gazing sessions held at the island’s coastal watchtowers. Further events are being planned.

To sign up for future events, or to donate, join or support the work of this volunteer-led NGO, please see their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/dlhgh or kindly contact Din l-Art Helwa – Ghawdex on +356 21225952 / 21220358 or by email at ghawdex@dinlarthelwa.org

Photos: DLHGh

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