Planning Authority to fund restoration of Sliema religious niches

A string of historical religious street niches within the locality of Sliema, bearing a number of saints, will be restored through the financial assistance of the Planning Authority’s Development Planning Fund (DPF).

The project, which is being carried out by the Rotary Club La Valette and the Sliema Local Council, will see the restoration of 15 niches and statues in various streets around Sliema. Many of these statues show a devotion to Saint Paul, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Anthony. Over the years many of these statues have been painted over or left exposed to the elements. For this project the Authority will be funding just over €34,000.

The Minister for Public Works and Planning, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that it was his government's duty to utilize public funds such as the DPF as this helps to conserve the historical heritage in the heart of towns and villages. Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi thanked the Planning Authority that manages this Fund, the Rotary Club Malta and the Sliema Local Council for their initiatives. He appealed to more organisations to follow the same example.

Perit Vincent Cassar, chairperson of the PA’s Development Planning Fund said: “Niches (niċeċ) in Maltese, are synonymous with the historical streetscapes of our towns and villages. Our forefathers openly displayed their devotion to particular saints by decorating their image in a niche on the façade or corner of their homes. Although today it is much rarer to find a new development incorporating this architectural element into the building, we are duty bound to safeguard and protect the numerous statues and niches which add to the character of our traditional towns and villages.”

Perit Cassar concluded: “We want to thank the Rotary Club La Vallette for taking on this noble initiative in collaboration with the Sliema Local Council. We encourage other similar organisations to follow suit and take up other projects which serve to enhance the quality of life for the locality’s community.”

Sliema mayor John Pillow said: “Safeguarding our cultural heritage remains on the forefront of the Local Council’s agenda. It is for this reason that works are beginning on the first 15 niches around the locality and we will continue to protect these niches.”

Street niches were introduced in Malta in the time of the Knights when in 1569 Grand Master Pietro del Monte introduced new regulations concerning what was necessary to build in a city or in a corner. Property

owners were obliged to decorate the corners with ornaments such as statues, niches or else with the coat of arms of the respective families. In fact these architectural religious features were first seen in Valletta and the Three Cities, but smaller towns and villages soon caught on the tradition.

The Authority also agrees to fund the artistic production of a monument which will be dedicated to the former Sliema Wanders football legend Tony Nicholl. The monument, which is being commissioned by the Sliema Wanderers Football Club and the Sliema Local Council, will be placed in Pjazza Sant’Anna at the Sliema Ferries.

Undoubtedly, one of Malta’s football icons, Tony Nicholl was greatly admired for his extremely versatile qualities on the field. Spanning a 26-year career in top class football, Nicholls was approached several times to sign for the then top division English team Charlton Athletic. He turned down the offers for family reasons.

The youngest of 23 siblings, Tony attended Stella Maris College and started playing for the Sliema Wanderers’ senior team in 1931. With the Wanderers he won 10 championships, nine FA Trophy medals, seven Cassar Cups, plus one with Valletta as a guest player and six times the Scicluna Cup. He passed away on 11 March 1999.