Ramblers, ‘owner’ clash at medieval Simblija site

Calls for the public to be guaranteed access to a medieval settlement in Simblija, limits of Dingli, have been renewed after a clash between ramblers and a man claiming private ownership of the historic site.
Noel Ciantar, whose family has occupied the land for generations, confronted members of the Ramblers Association last Sunday as they attempted to walk through the area, which was the site of an EU-funded restoration project in 2003.
In video footage seen by the Times of Malta, Mr Ciantar appears to be demanding that the ramblers leave the area and insisting the place is his private property.
“There are paths there that had been used by the public for a long time, until Mr Ciantar decided to close off access,” said Alex Vella from the Ramblers Association.
Is-Simblija is a cluster of caves and more recent, 18th-century structures.

“This is a historic site, which the government spent around €70,000 to renovate. The site is mentioned in history books and tourist guidebooks, but locals and foreigners are facing these threats whenever they try to visit.”
Mr Vella said ramblers never entered fields or private properties, and always respected farmers’ rights, but insisted the...