Centuries-old catacombs, which were first discovered in the late 19th century, will be opened to the public after extensive works are finished.
Work is underway to convert a farmhouse - that was built on the paleochristian Ta' Bistra catacombs some 80 years ago - into a visitors' centre.
An account of the progress of works on the €90,000 (under Lm39,000) two-year project, partly funded by the EU, was given yesterday during a joint news conference on site by Heritage Malta, the Mosta local council and the municipality of Ragusa.
The site has been cleaned and the area surrounded by a boundary wall to keep out vandals. Work was also carried out to strengthen the farmhouse structure which had been built above part of the catacombs. A preliminary scientific study examined the state of the catacombs and found that there were problems, including some caused by humidity and mould.
Since similar catacombs are found in Ragusa, the Mosta local council formed a twinning project with the Ragusa municipality so that the two could work together.
The catacombs are made up of 57 tombs along a 90-metre ridge. Although the tombs probably made up part of much larger catacombs, extensive quarrying could have destroyed part of the site. It is thought that the quarrying was related to the building of Mosta's Rotunda, which started in 1833. David Cardona, Heritage Malta's curator of Phoenician, Roman and Medieval sites, explained that the first excavations were carried out in 1935 by Charles Zammit, the son of well-known archaeologist Temi Zammit. However, the farm on top of the burial site is thought to have been built later.
Mr Cardona admitted that the farm had done quite a bit of damage to the catacombs, with some of the tombs even used to keep animals.
Before the building of the farm, the site was used as a shelter during World War II.
The current works revolve around the renovation of the existing farmhouse into a highly-equipped visitors' centre that will lead to the catacombs. Mr Cardona said that, once the farmhouse is sealed, it will help conserve the catacombs.
For the moment only five groups of tombs can be accessed because others are within private land or roads.
Mr Cardona said attempts were being made to secure more funds to continue with the work. More than €100,000 - excluding VAT - are needed to finish the whole project, including making sure that the catacombs are properly conserved.
Heritage Malta chairman Mario Tabone stressed the significance of the fact that another piece of Malta's historic heritage, which had been abandoned, was being studied and conserved.
President Emeritus Ugo Mifsud Bonnici said such an initiative was important because the Maltese should share their heritage with others.
The work was praised by both Italian Ambassador Paolo Andrea Trabalza and Mosta mayor Paul Chetcuti Caruana.