I think the plain but beautiful and well-proportioned façade of St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta is badly marred by the presence of the large alien trees that completely obscure the Mannerist style of the exterior of the church, typical of its Maltese architect, the renowned Girolamo Cassar.

It is held that, prior to designing the exterior of the Valletta church, the Grand Master of the time, Jean de la Cassiere, sent Cassar to Rhodes to design it on an existing church that was used by the Knights during their long stay on that island.

I am attaching a copy of an 18th century picture depicting St John’s Co-Cathedral as it was at the time, without the large trees on its frontage. The difference between the two situations is clearly demonstrated and shows that the trees are intruders on a large scale. They should never have been planted.

It is time, therefore, that the authorities take the necessary action to restore the area to its original state by uprooting the trees. I am sure the birds that have established their home there would quickly find other trees or places where to settle. Nature is not that dumb, as some would have us believe, and continually adapts.