Earlier this summer, news spread about Malta’s historical Turkish cemetery in Marsa possibly getting dwarfed by a nearby development proposal. After recent reports of various organisations opposing the project, international news site BBC picked up the story, featuring our tiny island.
“The Turkish Military Cemetery was built at the request of Sultan Abdulaziz during his visit to British-ruled Malta in 1867 and was soon dubbed the "Ottoman Taj Mahal" because of its extravagant Orientalist style,” BBC reports.
Both local and Turkish cultural watchdogs have expressed anger and opposition against the development project that proposes building garages and workshops near the historical cemetery that could easily affect its structure. “It’s nothing short of barbaric,” said Conrad Thake, a writer on architecture told the Times of Malta earlier this year.
The “architectural gem” is currently being cared for by organisations and governments, who have recently found damage to the structure. “The Turkish government maintains the cemetery and is carrying out restoration work there, during which it reported damage to the rear wall by passing traffic from an industrial estate,” said BBC.
“Maltese organisations have added their objections, most prominently the Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna (Maltese Heritage Trust), Din l-Art Helwa (National Trust of Malta) and the local Marsa Council, which warned that no development that might ‘negatively impact on this architectural gem’ should be allowed.”
What fate will the Turkish Cemetery see? Only time will tell, but here’s hoping this local gem is here to stay!