Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) welcomes the announcement that investigations carried out by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage have confirmed that that the basement under Casa Lanfreducci in fact formed part of the crypt of Our Lady of Victory Church. This part of the crypt will now be re-integrated with the church and other apertures closed off so that it will not be affected by the Valletta Regeneration Project which, the Superintendent states, will be able to proceed unhindered without this site.
This is not the first time that FAA has had to speak up in order to ensure the preservation of the underground treasures of our capital city which possesses a great wealth of architectural treasures beneath its streets and buildings. FAA therefore calls on the authorities to provide sufficient funding and staff to the Superintendence and the Faculty of Architecture to enable them to map out Valletta’s unique underground features and draw up a restoration and rehabilitation plan to preserve and add value to Valletta’s architectural heritage. One cannot rely on these treasures coming to light accidentally as was the case when FAA revealed the 16th Century architectural features of the basement of Casa Lanfreducci, following which the study of this crypt was passed on to the Superintendence for further investigation and its value as part of the Church of Our Lady of Victory now recognised.
In the year dedicated to volunteering, it is appreciated that volunteers’ work is followed up on in this way. FAA invites all those interested in volunteer work related to heritage and environment protection to contact it oncontact@faa.org.mt