Calls for the public to be guaranteed access to a medieval settlement in Simblija, limits of Dingli, have been renewed after a clash between ramblers and a man claiming private ownership of the historic site.

Noel Ciantar, whose family has occupied the land for generations, confronted members of the Ramblers Association last Sunday as they attempted to walk through the area, which was the site of an EU-funded restoration project in 2003.

In video footage seen by the Times of Malta, Mr Ciantar appears to be demanding that the ramblers leave the area and insisting the place is his private property.

“There are paths there that had been used by the public for a long time, until Mr Ciantar decided to close off access,” said Alex Vella from the Ramblers Association.

Is-Simblija is a cluster of caves and more recent, 18th-century structures.

“It is mentioned in history books and guidebooks, but locals and foreigners face these threats whenever they try to visit”

“This is a historic site, which the government spent around €70,000 to renovate. The site is mentioned in history books and tourist guidebooks, but locals and foreigners are facing these threats whenever they try to visit.”

Mr Vella said ramblers never entered fields or private properties, and always respected farmers’ rights, but insisted the historic site should be accessible to the public.

Other full-time farmers in the area, he said, had never clashed with ramblers.

Is-Simblija is a cluster of complexes consisting of caves and a number of more recent structures built between 1718 and 1720. The site includes the derelict church of Santa Maria ta’ Callus.

The site was acquired by the Knights of St John in the early 16th century and later passed on to the Order’s Veneranda Assemblea, from which it is thought the name ‘Simblija’ derives.

The site was restored in 2003 in an EU-funded project, which included the installation of a commemorative plaque and explanatory maps and panels, which many took to indicate the public’s right of access.

But the issue has evolved into a long saga, with ramblers repeatedly complaining of unofficial signs and warning letters surrounding the area, as well as dogs running loose to keep visitors away from the site.

The inaugural plaque and information panels have since been removed by unknown individuals.

A group of cyclists were charged with trespassing after visiting the site five years ago, but were later acquitted.

When contacted by this newspaper, Mr Ciantar insisted his family had a legal title to the land and that the restoration project was carried out in full respect of his ownership rights, with no intention to grant public access.

Mr Ciantar described the claims that he was illegally blocking public access as untrue and defamatory, and repeatedly stressed his legal rights.

“The Ramblers Association has been repeatedly advised that this is private property… They are claiming I have misappropriated the land, which is a serious and criminal accusation.

“My family has been the victim of harassment over the last 10 years, which has prevented us from making full use of our private land,” he said.