In the course of a recent meeting with the Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs the Honourable George Pullicino, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar was shown the positive changes to be undertaken at St George’s Square, Valletta. These include the elimination of the surface parking and the re-design of the square to incorporate ornamental paving, a large shallow fountain, street furniture and improved lighting as well as the upgrading of the streets in the immediate vicinity.

During the meeting FAA representatives brought to the attention of the authorities the existence of a underground passage about 50 feet long, leading from Archbishop Street towards the centre of St George’s Square which was thought to be part of a network in the area of the Palace.  FAA is delighted that exploratory works which have already been undertaken since FAA’s highlighting of the existence of this passage have confirmed that the passage is part of a larger network which includes a vaulted area and smaller rooms excavated into the sides of the passages. The MRRA has undertaken to carry out further studies to access and document as much of the network as possible and to review its plans according to what is found. 

While FAA still has strong reservations about the excavation of the square for the provision of parking under this square in the light of the move towards reducing car use in Valletta and also prior to the launch of the Valletta Management Plan, it is confident that the changes to this urban space will not only enhance the prestige of the square facing the Presidents’ Palace but will also greatly improve the enjoyment of the square by Valletta residents and tourists alike.

FAA also proposed that part of these passages should be made accessible to the public as an added heritage attraction and an insight into the very old civil engineering works that lie beneath Valletta’s streets,  a part of  our national heritage which might have been lost if it were not for this fruitful cooperation between the authorities and civil society.