GozoNews.Com

The Gozo Citadel will have its own Master and Conservation Plan that forms the basis of all future interventions on this historical site.

Funding has been recently secured under the EEA Financial Mechanisms with the Ministry for Gozo already having set up a working group to formulate the necessary tender for the carrying out of the required studies.

The Master Plan will provide guidelines for a more effective and sustainable use of the site, for the safeguarding of its historical aspect and the promotion and further development of the Citadel’s economic and cultural potential. Restoration works and the improvement of existing facilities will be carried out within this framework, while effective management including traffic management will be addressed in light of the recommendations resulting from this Plan.

The project was launched this morning during a press conference by the Hon. Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo at the Citadel.

Minister Debono spoke about the importance of the Gozo Citadel as a heritage site and as a tourist attraction for the island. She explained that the Ministry for Gozo had submitted an application for funding under the EEA Financial Mechanisms towards the end of 2005, with the application having been formally approved in February of this year. 85% of the total project value of €301,500 will be provided by this fund.

The Ministry for Gozo has since set up a working group made up of representatives from the same Ministry, the Ministry of Resources and Infrastructure, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, the Malta Tourism Authority and Heritage Malta. The working group is presently formulating the terms of reference required for the publication of the necessary tender for the studies to be carried out.

Minister Debono said that this project includes a wide consultation process that will take place with all stakeholders involved so that the various needs and requirements of this historical site will be addressed from the start of the project. The analysis of the different needs and requirements is expected to be completed in 2009. In the meantime, Government will be applying for further Structural Funds under the European Union’s 2007-2013 budgetary period for more extensive structural works to be carried out at the Gozo Citadel.

Minister Debono said that the Ministry for Gozo has in recent years given the Gozo Citadel closer attention with the protection of endangered endemic flora, the regular cleaning of damaging shrubs and plants from the bastion walls, the restoration of the outer North Westerly curtain walls, the complete restoration of the Ravellin and other inner areas. The Gozo Citadel has also benefited from a Culture 2000 project involving graphical documentation carried out jointly between Malta, Crete and Sicily. An exhibition about this latter project is permanently on display at the Crafts Centre at the Citadel.

The Master and Conservation Plan project will bring together all areas of concern and highlight the way forward in a long term project aimed towards giving a holistic and coordinated approach that leaves a positive impact on this heritage site of significant importance on the island of Gozo.