Malta Puts The Knights’ Fortifications Forward For UNESCO World Heritage Listing

Malta has taken a significant step towards strengthening its presence on the UNESCO World Heritage List with the formal submission of a new nomination dossier entitled “The Maltese Fortifications of…

Malta has taken a significant step towards strengthening its presence on the UNESCO World Heritage List with the formal submission of a new nomination dossier entitled “The Maltese Fortifications of the Knights of St John.”

The nomination dossier was personally presented by Malta’s Ambassador to UNESCO, Mons. Vella Gauci, alongside the technical attaché to Malta’s permanent delegation to UNESCO, Mariah Zammit, and Dr Anthony Pace.

The final nomination, “The Maltese Fortifications of the Knights of St John,” encompasses: Valletta (already listed as a World Heritage Site), the harbour fortifications on the Marsamxett side, the harbour fortifications on the Grand Harbour side, the Santa Margherita Lines and the Cottonera Lines, Mdina and the Cittadella of Gozo.

The nomination makes a compelling case for the Outstanding Universal Value of the Maltese fortifications, which will now be evaluated by the 21-member World Heritage Committee. If successful, the listed fortifications would be joined with Valletta as part of an extended World Heritage property. This approach follows the precedent set when sites such as Mnajdra, Ħaġar Qim, Tarxien, and Skorba were added to the original Ġgantija inscription.

The dossier is supported by extensive technical contributions from national heritage institutions, including the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, the Restoration and Conservation Directorate, Heritage Malta, the Planning Authority, the National Library of Malta and several other stakeholders.

Tag someone you know is interested

•

Read the full article at the original source