Mdina roads to be paved

The forecourt at Vilhena Palace in Mdina is being repaved in such a way as to allow visitors to get a better view of the original 14th century door found during an archaeological survey.

Mdina Rehabilitation Project coordinator Ray Bondin said the decision was taken following consultations with the designer.

Mr Bondin, together with Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech and Prof. Denis de Lucca, yesterday visited the palace to see the forecourt project.

While there, Mr Bondin explained the techniques which had been adopted in the restoration of two coats-of-arms which were situated on top of the entrance to the palace and another on the inside door.

Mr Bondin explained the great difficulties involved in removing the weeds that had destroyed the coat-of-arms on the outside door.

"Most of it had to be taken down and replaced. In more recent times the outer parts were plastered, but the interior was completely empty," he said.

The conservation project, which is in the hands of the Sante Guido Restauri firm, will ensure that the coat-of-arms will be preserved for a long time.

Dr Zammit Dimech said the restoration of these two coats-of-arms cost in the region of Lm10,000.

He said that the restoration and rehabilitation of the palace's forecourt would cost about Lm46,000 and was being financed by the Portuguese foundation Calouste Gulbenkian.

"Malta's connection with this foundation dates back to 1963 when it donated Lm3,000 to the University of Malta to buy books and literary works for the library of the Department of English," he said.

Dr Zammit Dimech said that works were also underway to remove the wires that hung from the walls of the old capital and to lay them underground.

This work had involved digging up several trenches which led to the discovery of several archaeological remains from different eras.

"Every effort is being made to ensure these are given the appropriate attention and there are plans to cover some of these remains with glass and light them up for the public to appreciate," Dr Zammit Dimech said.

Once this project is complete, the roads of Mdina will be paved with new material which is being brought from abroad and which should blend with the city's character.

Mr Bondin also referred to the recent debate which arose after Mdina councillor Nicholas Jensen complained about the proposed citrus trees which were intended to replace the oleander trees.

Mr Bondin said it had now been decided that 250-year-old olive trees would be planted at the entrance of the Palace.

"We had been advised to remove the four trees since they were covering up the façade of the palace and in particular the splendid coat-of-arms," Mr Bondin said.

The Department of Agriculture had agreed and the oleander trees were removed.

"These trees were not unique and not in keeping with the baroque and mediaeval character of Mdina so we are planting two, 250-year-old olive trees," he said.