Call for tenders for Ġgantija temples project published

The landscaping and construction tender which forms part of a multi-million euro project for Ġgantija temples in Xagħra, Gozo was published yesterday.

The tender, published by Heritage Malta, which is responsible for the temples, is for the construction, finishing and landscaping works related to enhancing the experience of some 180,000 annual visitors to Ġgantija. The scheme for the project, designed by architect Robert Sant, was selected in an international contest held in 2009 while the planning permits were issued last December.

The deadline for the submission of bids was April 5 and works were expected to start towards the end of the year and last for 15 months, Heritage Malta said.

All necessary arrangements should be in place to minimise the effect on visitors during the works, it said. The complex consists of two megalithic temples dating back to 3,600 BC and surrounded by a common boundary wall. The larger temple was the first to be built.

The tender forms part of Heritage Malta’s €9.2 million archaeological heritage conservation project – 85 per cent of which is co-financed through EU funds – and includes works on another two sites including the Tarxien temples and St Paul’s catacombs in Rabat.

Ħaġar Qim temples, also under the care of Heritage Malta, made news last week when two panels in the protective shelter were ripped to shreds by force nine winds on Friday.