The planning authority yesterday rejected a permit which would have meant a monument of four knights was located opposite Renzo Piano’s new parliament building in Valletta.
Ten board members voted against the permit while three were in favour, much to the relief of critics who said the monument would have been out of place.
The new location of the bronze monument by Gozitan artist John Grima which depicted four knights standing in a row, is not yet known.
Various objections were raised, with board member and Nationalist MP Ryan Callus saying it would clash with the Piano project. Valletta was a World Heritage City and decisions had to respect that title, he said.
Mr Callus also pointed out that, while the planning authority’s cultural heritage advisory board had objected to the proposal, the national Superintendence of Cultural Heritage did not, arguing that the monument was reversible and would not impact the architectural values of the City Gate project.
He said it would undermine the Renzo Piano project since the monument cannot be considered in isolation and had to take into consideration the possible location of monti hawkers’ stalls in the vicinity.
Board member Timothy Gambin said granting such a permit would set a dangerous precedent since other monuments at the entrance of Valletta could then be open to consideration.
He countered comments made in the presentation by the architect on behalf of the applicant – the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation – that the knights’ figures commemorate the defenders and protectors of the city.
Prof. Gambin pointed out the knights never defended Valletta and ran off when the French invaded Malta.
Gozitan artist John Grima was present at the hearing to defend his work, saying it was not a monument but “a work of art inspired by the spirit of Valletta as a city of the knights”. He disagreed that it would impinge on the Piano project and criticised the media for building up opposition to it.
Critics and experts have argued the monument is too traditional when compared to the minimalist look of the embellished entrance to the capital city.
Valletta mayor Alexei Dingli had said Valletta did not need such a monument at its entrance to remind people of its history since every corner of the city reminded people of the Knights of Malta. The Office of the Prime Minister had acknowledged “the public outcry” but countered that the monument had been commissioned by the Nationalist administration.
The monument was originally intended for Jean de Valette Square, but Mepa objected due to the historic wall which forms part of the St Catherine of Italy Church.
An application was filed last year by the chairman of the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, to place it opposite the new Parliament.
The controversy follows another public outcry to place hawkers’ stalls in the nearby Ordnance Street.