Basement contained ‘knights’ skeletons’

An NGO has published photos of human remains found some years ago in a Valletta basement that is now being converted into the backstage facilities of Renzo Piano’s open-air theatre.

Aiming to rebut claims by the Infrastructure Ministry that Valletta’s Casa Lanfreducci was not a burial ground, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar said these remains probably belonged to Knights of the Order of St John.

This claim is backed by forensic expert Anthony Abela Medici, who had examined the site when they were found and agrees the ministry’s plans are “shameful”.

The FAA reiterated its claim that contrary to being “romantic speculation”, it was a plain fact that the crypt of Our Lady of Victory Church originally extended horizontally beneath Casa Lanfreducci.

“FAA’s concern about this space being converted into dressing rooms, shower cubicles and toilets is shown to be correct by photographic proof, showing several boxes of human bones which were exhumed from the Lanfreducci basement-crypt and piled in boxes in the same basement,” it said in a statement yesterday.

“Forensic tests which had been carried out show that these remains date back to the time of the Great Siege of 1565 and it is of concern that the boxes containing the bones are no longer on the site, their whereabouts unknown.”

FAA referred to the ministry saying that “in the unlikely event that anything specific is found”, it would respect the normal legal process. This “unlikely event” materialised some time ago with the discovery of the human remains, the NGO said.

It questioned how the ministry could defend its intentions on the basis that the basement was not yet scheduled for protection. “This marvel of vernacular architecture with its complex and possibly unique system of vaulting and drains will surely be impacted by the installation of showers and toilets in this underground structure.”

Dr Abela Medici confirmed the remains were probably of Knights who died in the Great Siege.

He added that the crypt of the church adjacent to Casa Lanfreducci and the basement were “definitely one single burial ground” but were currently separated by stone.

“Our heritage and the first building works in Valletta should surely be scheduled rather than destroyed for posterity. I agree with others that this site is being desecrated and the authorities are pushing ahead because they have not visited the site themselves. A video of the site had been prepared and I believe given to the authorities. It is shameful.”

Meanwhile, more than 200 people, including a number of Knights, have joined a Facebook group titled “United Against Desecration Of Knights’ Burial Ground In Valletta”.