Heritage Malta, the national agency for Museums, Conservation practice and Cultural Heritage, has embarked on a €2.5million (excl VAT) project, part funded through the European Regional Development Fund, to enhance the visitor experience at the Ġgantija Heritage Park, which includes the Ggantija Temples, that are the world’s oldest free-standing structure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The aim is to present an organised, pleasant and sustainable experience, to the circa 150,000 yearly visitors, whilst highlighting the landscape setting of the site and the removal of past interventions which have a negative impact on the setting.

The project shall include the construction of an Interpretation Centre, which shall act an orientation point for the various cultural sites in the village of Xaghra whilst including a permanent display focusing on Gozo’s prehistory, pathways to link the Interpretation Centre to the Temples, and the Temples to the ‘Exit Point’, including the rehabilitation and landscaping of the Heritage Park and the restoration and rebuilding of approximately 200m of rubble wall, as well as an ‘Exit Point’ including a souvenir shop and other basic amenities for the visitors to the Heritage Park.

Towards this end, Heritage Malta, has launched a design contest for ‘Enhancing the visitor experience in the Ġgantija Heritage Park World Heritage Site’. More information can be obtained from www.heritagemalta.org/erdf032. Submission date is the 16th December 2009.