The Gozo Tourism Association has expressed its deep concern following the collapse of part of the roof at the Knights-era Qbajjar Battery near Qolla l-Bajda, a rare 1715 coastal fortification and one of only two surviving batteries in Gozo.

The GTA, said that this incident is a ”stark reminder of the vulnerability of our historic sites when they are left to deteriorate.”

The Association added that ”the Qbajjar Battery is an irreplaceable element of Gozo’s coastal heritage, and every delay in its maintenance increases the risk of further, potentially irreversible damage.”

The Gozo Tourism Association called for an urgent structural assessment to determine the extent of the collapse, followed by immediate stabilisation works to prevent additional deterioration. ”Furthermore, the swift finalisation of the guardianship agreement with Din l-Art Helwa is now more pressing than ever.”

GTA stressed that ”as an island committed to strengthening its position as a quality tourism destination, as outlined in Envision 2050, we also carry the responsibility to safeguard our historical sites. They form an intrinsic part of Gozo’s tourism offering and cultural identity.”

”Gozo’s historic batteries are among the last surviving examples of Malta’s early 18th-century coastal defences,” said the GTA. ”We owe it to future generations to ensure that the Qbajjar Battery is preserved and not lost.”

File photo: DLH

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