Din l-Art Helwa has raised serious concerns over security at Qolla l-Bajda Battery in Gozo, highlighting an incident that took place at the site on Saturday evening.
Last May, the Government, through the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage [1], entrusted the Grade 1 scheduled Qolla l-Bajda Battery (1715), in Qbajjar, Zebbug, Gozo. to Din l-Art Helwa after more than two decades of neglect, DLH said.
Over Easter, corrosion within the concrete beams caused a roof beside the western blockhouse to rupture. Fortunately, nobody was beneath it. Other concrete roofs could fail similarly, potentially bringing down the Battery and façade walls.
Din l-Art Helwa Ghawdex said that it therefore cordoned off the frontage, erected clear danger signs and installed round-the-clock CCTV. However, it added that, ”despite these precautions, we had to repeatedly call the police to move people holding barbecues right beneath the walls.”
On Saturday night, DLH said that ”CCTV recorded a barbecue organised by the Gozo University Group. Although benches stood well away on the dirt road, students were repeatedly recorded directly beneath the façade walls.”
It added that ”a mobile connection failure prevented live monitoring, but the footage was recorded. One of the wooden barriers cordoning off the area in front of the façade were also removed, though replaced when the students left.”
DLH asked ”íf University students disregard clear danger signs, how can we expect others to heed them? Did the organisers realise the danger to which they exposed their fellow students?”
The organisation pointed out that the death of 22-year-old Mirabelle Falzon in a wall collapse at Rihama Battery on 19 July 2024 is a tragic reminder of the consequences.
”We will now have to install a physical fence,” said DLH. ”Regrettably, this will detract from the battery’s appearance and divert funds from restoration, but preventing another tragedy must come first. Please respect the barriers and warning signs.”
DLH explained that ”restoring it to the design of military engineers Jacques de Camus d’Arginy and Bernard de Fontet will require removing extensive concrete coverings and unauthorised additions, reinstating the original gun platform and the position of the entrance doorway – we are working hard to start as soon as possible the Battery’s restoration.”
Screenshot provided by Din l-Art Helwa