A series of interactive maps will document Malta’s cultural heritage as part of preparations ahead of Valletta’s 2018 stint as European Capital of Culture.

Addressing a press conference at The Salesian Theatre in Sliema, Culture Parliamentary Secretary Jose Herrera said the project would serve as a directory of significant sights, venues and cultural curiosities across Malta and Gozo.

“This project is part of the V18 legacy that will live well beyond 2018. It will be spread across the island as we believe that the whole of Malta will be the European cultural capital and not just Valletta,” he said.

The cultural maps are being developed by a working group of university academics and will be freely available online.

V18 Chairman Jason Micallef said the maps would serve as a toll to better inform the Government on areas in need of investment. The project, he said, would allow artists, historian, academics and a myriad of other professionals to venture on new cultural projects.

Prof. Joe Friggieri, representing the University of Malta, said the working group had worked tirelessly on the V18 bid prior to Valletta being awarded the title.