Catacombs to be buried under block of flats in Qawra

A Roman quarry and burial chamber discovered on a Qawra site will be preserved beneath a seven-storey development, the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage has confirmed.

The catacombs were discovered during an archaeological investigation ordered by the SCH before the development was approved.

Approved development plans show the Roman remains sandwiched between the flats and underlying garages. The development consists of 48 apartments, 40 garages and a ground-floor shop.

The catacombs were found in Triq il-Fugass in close vicinity of the Salina Park.

The project, proposed by Gozitan developer Mark Agius, known as Dirjanu, and approved in September 2025, will proceed with the archaeological remains retained in their original position beneath the footprint of the approved scheme.

The final clearance by the SCH was issued in March.

Catacombs will be protected – SCH

Contacted by MaltaToday a spokesperson for the SCH insisted that “the protection of the discovered remains is guaranteed through in site conservation”. The heritage watchdog said that by integrating the site “beneath the development,” it ensures its “permanent protection from the elements and future surface disturbance”.

To safeguard the remains, the SCH has imposed a 2m non-intervention buffer zone. Within this perimeter—no rock cutting or invasive excavation is permitted. The authority confirmed that this buffer zone will be implemented as approved in the project drawings.

The development itself has been designed to minimise impact on the archaeology through an engineered solution that effectively “bridges” over the remains.

The SCH said the mitigation measures include geotextile membranes, concrete pad foundations and a raised superstructure, all intended to separate the building from the archaeological layers below.

The apartment block will be supported by a limited number of pillars placed in areas “pre-vetted” by the superintendence.

According to the SCH these foundations are designed with a minimal footprint to avoid significant archaeological features on the site.

According to the heritage watchdog, this solution, supported by the use of geotextiles to separate modern materials from ancient surfaces, is “a standard and effective preservation strategy that allows for the coexistence of modern utility and heritage conservation without compromising the stratigraphic integrity of the site”.

The SCH further stated that these measures are explicitly defined in the technical documentation and Works Method Statement, forming the basis of the clearance. The authority said the methodology for preservation is embedded in these specifications, which are designed to ensure protection of the site.

No public access to site

While the site is legally protected, it will remain in private ownership.

Under current legislation, archaeological remains can remain in private ownership provided they are preserved according to the strict parameters set by the superintendence.

Responsibility for its management lies with the landowner, who is bound under the Cultural Heritage Act to maintain the integrity of the remains.

At the same time, the SCH has retained oversight through a condition granting its officials permanent access to the site. This access is intended to ensure ongoing monitoring of the archaeological remains and to facilitate future scientific research.

No interpretation centre or museum is currently planned for the area. The SCH’s position is that preservation in site ensures the survival of the archaeological remains, even if they are not exposed or made publicly accessible.

The approval reflects a wider planning approach in Malta, where archaeological remains discovered within development footprints are increasingly preserved beneath new construction, particularly in heavily built-up urban areas where relocation or open-air preservation is often not feasible.

Din l-Art Ħelwa dismayed

Contacted by MaltaToday Din l-Art Ħelwa President Patrick Calleja expressed dismay at the way this important heritage site is being ‘protected’.

Calleja noted that the catacombs and the rest of the archaeological site are under threat from inappropriate development, not from any natural elements.

“Leaving the management of the site to a landowner or indeed a condominium, whose sole interest is profit and not heritage, is a dereliction of the state’s duty under the Cultural Heritage Act and our Constitution”.

Calleja pointed out that the approved drawings clearly indicate that this heritage will never be seen again.

“A catacomb buried under a seven-storey concrete tombstone has lost all meaningful context,” he said.

Calleja questioned the SCH’s approach describing it as “out of sight, out of mind” management. “If this is how we are protecting our heritage, then we are being misled,” he said.