Heritage Malta Condemns Act of Vandalism at Ġgantija

Press Release│ 11th February 2026

Heritage Malta unreservedly condemns an act of vandalism perpetrated yesterday at the Ġgantija Archaeological Park, where a Hungarian citizen caused irreparable damage by scratching what appear to be two digits on a megalith located in the Northern structure of this Neolithic monument declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Although other visitors warned the man to stop, he ignored them completely and continued to vandalise the site. Heritage Malta officers identified the culprit when he entered the on-site shop. When confronted by members of staff and security personnel, the man admitted to scratching the megalith, adding that he believed such action was permitted, due to the presence of other historical graffiti on the same megalith. He remained cooperative when the Police arrived on site, even expressing regret.

This afternoon, the perpetrator was arraigned before the Gozo Court, where he admitted the charges brought against him.

He was sentenced to two years imprisonment suspended for four years and to a fine of €15,000.

Attempts to remove the inscriptions would compromise the original stone surface patina and create conditions conducive to rapid deterioration. Consequently, the damage has been assessed as permanent and irreversible. However, immediate mitigation intervention will be conducted to prevent further damage.