Watch: Cyclists Confront Man Claiming To Be Owner Of Dingli Medieval Village
A group of cyclists out on their Sunday ride took it upon themselves to confront the man that has been claiming to be the owner of a medieval settlement in Simblija.
This is not the first time that this has happened, as the Ramblers Association had a similar confrontation with the same man around six years ago, with the site then being allegedly declared as public land later on in 2018.
“Yesterday I went on a bike ride to Is-Simblija, an old medieval village in Dingli. My father had gone last week and was aggressively stopped by a man who claims it as his. Being ignorant and not knowing otherwise he turned back,” the cyclist told Lovin Malta.
After just a little bit of research into the classification of the site, they realised that the medieval settlement of Simblija is said to be registered for public access, as it was claimed to be restored so back in 2018.
Apart from that, back in 2006 the EU funded around €50,000 to have the area restored.
Upon finding out more alleged details behind the site, the cyclists returned back on Sunday and confronted the man with articles that claim the public nature of the area, from years back.
“We went to confront him yesterday and stuck articles by Times of Malta from 2018 stating that this is public land,” the cyclist said.
Lovin Malta received videos of the confrontation as well as photos of the site and how it has been kept by the man, with a barrage of wooden boxes being stored within the site.
Apart from allegedly harassing people that attempt to visit the area, the man has also been keeping his items within the Grade 2 protected medieval settlement. Photos sent to Lovin Malta show the disgraceful mess within the settlements.
“He has kept all his rubbish in those old hamlets with all his shit accumulating over the years, treating this piece of history dating back at least 400 years as his personal junkyard,” the cyclist said.
Lovin Malta will now be reaching out to the relevant authorities to make sure that the situation is rectified.
Photos and videos by Isaac Muscat
Following a call with the current owner of the land, it was clarified that he is currently the legal owner as a part of an agricultural lease. Although the government previously tried to terminate the lease, it was annulled over a technicality and the land was restored to the farmer. Court cases are ongoing.
Have you ever encountered something similar?
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