Editorial

Even though we are neglectful of the environment generally, we are proud of all that Malta has to offer in terms of archaeology, architecture and quaint individuality. Some have called all of Malta a museum of art and history. If this is so, then Mdina would be the crowning work in the museum, the centrepiece, the centre of attraction.

Visitors have always loved Mdina, its wholeness, in that several elements are enjoyed at one and the same time without one being separable from the other. They love the narrow streets, the door-knockers, the houses and the architecture.

It used to be called the silent city. Well, with the ever rising number of tourists visiting it, the city is not all that silent today, especially when a number of groups happen to be taken there at the same time.

We need to ensure now that the number of eating places in Mdina is controlled so as not to distort its image. If we do that, if we over-commercialise Mdina, the city will lose its charm.

We have not always done the right thing for Mdina, but the general instinct has, at least so far, usually been in the right direction, and Mdina is still a major attraction.

Recently, good work has been carried out, both by the government and by the Mdina Rehabilitation Project.

The latest have included efforts to remove wiring, to preserve archaeological remains when these were discovered during excavation of trenches, and very lately, the restoration of the Vilhena Palace forecourt.

The forecourt at Vilhena Palace in Mdina has been restored in such a way as to allow visitors to get a better view of the original 14th century door that was found during an archaeological survey.

Two coats-of-arms, one on top of the entrance to the palace and the other on the inside door, have been restored with great difficulty, owing to repeated filling and scraping in previous repair work.

The conservation project will ensure that the coats-of-arms will be preserved for a long time. Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said the restoration of these two coats-of-arms cost about Lm10,000. The restoration and rehabilitation of the palace forecourt, costing about Lm46,000, has been financed by the Portuguese foundation Calouste Gulbenkian.

Dr Zammit Dimech said the streets of Mdina would be paved with new material which was being brought over from abroad and which should blend with the city's character. It is a shame that the streets of Mdina have been allowed to remain in the terrible state they are in for so long.

There is no doubt that Mdina will stand very much to gain from an upgrading exercise being carried out now. The city needs it badly. We have given thousands and thousands of tourists visiting the city the impression that we do not care much about the preservation of the city.

One only hopes that the rest of the work will be carried out as professionally as that done in the palace forecourt so that Mdina retains its charm.

It is also important now to upgrade the whole area in front of the city's entrance, including, of course, the garden. This is usually kept in a very bad state.