Historical gems in danger

The 17th century watch tower, known as It-Torri tal-Wejter in Dun Filippu Borgia Street, Birkirkara, is deteriorating structurally and could soon collapse. This tower had already been saved once by the Socjetà Dun Filippu Borgia when it was going to be demolished in 1968.

The historical Infetti niche built after the 1813 plague and actually marking the cemetery that no longer exists is listed as a Grade 1 building and is included in the book Malta Heritage in Stone as an example of the first niches in Malta.

Again it was saved in 1988 through the intervention of Vincent Parnis (honorary president of the Socjetà Dun Filippu Borgia) when it was being dismantled.

The stones making up this niche are in such a bad state that immediate action is called for.

The Socjetà Dun Filippu Borgia is appealing to the authorities to take the necessary urgent action to save these two constructions of national historical importance.

It would be a pity if these structures are lost forever.