Disneyfication of heritage (2)

During the St John's Project presentation at Din l-Art Ħelwa, I raised the point that the scheduling of St John's Co-Cathedral as a Grade 1 monument by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) as per Government Notice 276/08 in the...

During the St John's Project presentation at Din l-Art Ħelwa, I raised the point that the scheduling of St John's Co-Cathedral as a Grade 1 monument by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) as per Government Notice 276/08 in the Government Gazette, gives it the highest grade of protection possible.

Furthermore, the Cultural Heritage Act categorically states: "Buildings of outstanding architectural or historical interest shall be preserved in their entirety. Demolition or alterations which impair the setting or change the external or internal appearance, including anything contained within the curtilage of the building, will not be allowed. Internal structural alterations will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances where this is paramount for reasons of keeping the building in active use."

The project architect replied that the scheduling does not include post-war repairs and reconstruction.

Enquires with Mepa's Internal Heritage Management team which handles scheduling revealed that in fact, all of St John's Cathedral complex is equally protected and includes any war-damaged reconstructions in the graveyard area.

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