The hoteliers behind the planned hotel on Saqqajja Hill in Rabat have promised to rebuild Mdina’s defensive walls if they collapse during the construction of the hotel.
The Planning Authority yesterday approved the four-storey hotel, despite concerns it would spoil the area’s historical heritage, and that excavation could pose a threat to the foundations of Mdina’s walls, which are built on a clay slope.
“Relax guys. The walls probably won’t collapse. But if they do, well that shows that the construction quality wasn’t very good in the first place. But even so, we promise to rebuild them from scratch, no worries,” said the project’s architect and former PN minister Jesmond Mugliett, speaking on behalf of BB Hotel Malta Ltd.
“Not only that, but we’ll make them even higher and stronger by building them with reinforced concrete. Stone masonry is so 1621.”
Mugliett also suggested the possibility of not rebuilding the walls.
“I mean have we considered that Mdina doesn’t need walls anymore? It’s not like the Turks are going to invade us any time soon. So why not take the opportunity to replace them with more hotels, a couple of apartment blocks and a supermarket? And people are always complaining that Mdina is too silent, so we could add a nightclub too. Frankly, the more I think about it, the more I believe we should bring the walls down intentionally.”
Replying to Mugliett’s suggestion, ERA chairman Victor Axiak said:
“I’m listening.”
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