More Of This Please! Planning Authority Gives 10 Historical Buildings The Highest Levels Of Protection
The Planning Authority has granted protection status to 10 buildings in various localities that are considered to have special heritage features.
In a statement, the PA said that “in consultation with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, the Authority gave special protection status to these ten buildings” to ensure their protection.
“The architectural and historical significance that these buildings carry vary in both their historical period as well as location.”
One of the buildings given special protection status was the private residence of former Prime Minister and Leader of the Nationalist Party Dr. Enrico Mizzi (Nerik), in Triq San Ġwann, Valletta.
“A typical 17th century Valletta townhouse and was lived in by Rev Fortunato Mizzi up until 2002. The building which is being converted into a house museum still contains the original furniture and archives.” The building was given the highest form of protection by the authority.
Other buildings include “a typical 18th century single-storey palazzo having a main central entrance overlain by an open stone balcony” in Qrendi and “a three-storey townhouse characterised by an exceptional decorated Baroque double-front” in Birgu.
An 18th century corner townhouse in Balzan, which used to be the residence of Spanish Knight Fra Giacomo Rodrigues, was also given protection status,as were the parish church of Manikata and buildings in Gżira, Lija and Naxxar.
The action taken by the PA was met with praise by the vice-mayor of Balzan Angelo Micallef, who called it “A rare spot of positive news from the Planning Authority!”
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