Megalithic Temples of Malta
Factors affecting the property in 2008*
- Housing
- Illegal activities
- Interpretative and visitation facilities
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
Absence of a management plan, need for visitor centres, protective shelters, and walkways, illegal constructions
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2008
Total amount approved : 74,073 USD
| 1998 | Emergency Assistance for Hagar Qim, Megalithic Temples, ... (Approved) | 72,448 USD |
| 1981 | 2-week consultant mission to advise on setting up a ... (Approved) | 1,625 USD |
Missions to the property until 2008**
1994: UNESCO mission; 2001: ICOMOS mission; 2006: ICCROM mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2008
A draft management plan prepared by Heritage Malta (The National Agency for Museums, Conservation Practice and Cultural Heritage) was received by the World Heritage Centre on 1 February 2008, and was reviewed by ICOMOS.
This Plan has been prepared in full conformity with the requirements of the Committee. After setting out the parameters underlying the needs of World Heritage sites and monuments in terms of management it sets out a series of objectives, classified as overall long-term objectives, statutory and policy objectives, land-use objectives, sustainable tourism, visitor management, management of leisure and sport activities, impacts on local communities, conservation objectives, and research and documentation objectives. The achievement of these objectives is defined by 29 specific actions.
The State Party also submitted an additional report on 4 March 2008 on action taken in respect of the visitor centres, protective covers, and walkways in response to the World Heritage Committee’s request. The three key projects were those for (1) the Haġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park, (2) the Tarxien Temples, and (3) the Ġgantija Temples. The present submission of detailed designs and drawings was restricted in scope to (1), where the design process of the major components had now been completed. In the 2007 report, it had been indicated that work on site was expected to start in the second half of 2007. Owing to a number of design improvements and mitigation measures that were undertaken, this work was now scheduled to take place during the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2008. The detailed designs and drawings for project in Tarxien Temples would be submitted later in 2008 and those for project in Ġgantija Temples by early 2009.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2008
32 COM 7B.100
Megalithic Temples of Malta (Malta) (C 132 bis)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decisions 29 COM 7B.80 and 31 COM 7B.115, adopted at its 29th (Durban, 2005) and 31st (Christchurch, 2007) sessions respectively,
3. Noting that the State Party has completed the draft management plan,
4. Urges the State Party to work towards its timely finalization, approval and implementation;
5. Acknowledges the progress made by the State Party in the design of the visitor centre for the Haġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park and the protective shelters, taking into account advice by the 2006 expert mission for these components of the property and requests the State Party to take into consideration the need to minimize the impact of the construction mentioned above on the Outstanding Universal Value and visual integrity of the property;
6. Also requests the State Party to provide three printed and electronic copies of the final management plan for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, a report on its implementation, as well as a report on work at the Haġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park and on the proposed works at the Tarxien and Ġgantija Temples.
Draft Decision: 32 COM 7B.100
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decisions29 COM 7B.80 and 31 COM 7B.115, adopted at its 29th (Durban, 2005) and 31st (Christchurch, 2007) sessions respectively,
3. Noting that the State Party has completed the draft management plan,
4. Urges the State Party to work towards its timely finalization, approval and implementation;
5. Acknowledges the progress made by the State Party in the design of the visitor centre for the Haġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park and the protective shelters, taking into account advice by the 2006 expert mission for these components of the property and requests the State Party to take into consideration the need to minimize the impacts of the constructions mentioned above on the outstanding universal value and visual integrity of the property;
6. Also requests the State Party to provide three printed and electronic copies of the final management plan for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, a report on its implementation, as well as a report on work at the Haġar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park and on the proposed works at the Tarxien and Ġgantija Temples.
Malta
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
