KRM
Ir-Razzett Tal-Qasam is an interesting and unspoilt medieval hamlet guarding the south-west entrance to the Majjistral Nature Reserve and is run by a cooperative of local farmers. We specialize in operating school trips and groups that focus on rural life, historical and environmental themes. Tal-Qasam may be hired for private events. At over five thousand square metres, this large site consists of a cluster of buildings built by the Knights of St John, an indoor area being part building, part natural caves, a five hundred square metre picnic area covered by mature carob trees, an olive grove, a British beach post, and an old water feature consisiting of a tunnel that taps ground water and flows into a small pond.
Tal-Qasam is completely detached and surrounded by peaceful fields and offers ample parking and easy access to the majority of areas including many offering access for disabled persons. At Tal-Qasam our visitors enjoy nature at its best. The main picnic area is situated below a south-facing escarpment which offers total protection from the prevailing Majjistral and Grigale winds, making it particularly appealing for events organizers. Indoor alternatives are available in case of increment weather. Ir-Razzett Tal-Qasam is an active restoration project which as of 2024 is about 70% complete. The restoration work is carried out by our co-op members using traditional skills passed on from generation to generation. Proceeds from the activities organized are used directly to fund the site's restoration.
Tal-Qasam is full of authentic and interesting features that are nowadays hard to come across. As you enter the main gate from the parking, you are greeted by a long, gently-illuminated private driveway flanked by orchards and fields. As you progress, a quaint entrance leading to a centuries-old tunnel to channel water appears on your right.
As you reach the top of the short hill, the first buildings built during the time of the Knights of St John become visible, with the entrance to the large picnic area to your right. Walking through the picnic area brings you to a mature olive orchard past, in the middle of which lies a military pillbox built before the wall, and which used to have a commanding view of the bay. Nowadays there are many trees but a hundred years ago, there were none as in those days, the priority was the security of the military camp down the road.
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Farm animals are always an attraction for children and grown-ups alike. We have a mare and a donkey, sheep, goats, chickens, peacocks and rabbits. Children will also be given access to the pens under heavy supervision to interact and pat our sheep, goats and rabbits. Besides love, our animals are treated with respect and for this reason, all types of loud bangs such as fireworks are banned at Tal-Qasam to prevent distress to our furry residents.
Our picnic area is a tranquil Garden of Eden. It faces south enjoying breath-taking views of Il-Wilga valley, then further afield, the bays of Golden Bay and Ghajn Tuffieha’s clay cliffs, and in the distance, the village of Bahrija. The picnic area itself is fully shaded by mature carob trees, and enjoys superb natural protection from the predominant Majjistral and Gregale winds. There is a kitchen area with a large wood-fire oven, a brickwork BBQ, and a washing area with mains water supply. The whole area is illuminated and electrical points are conveniently located.
In 2007 Koperattiva Rurali Manikata (KRM) was founded by a group of farmers and residents from Manikata. It was the successful culmination of a protest movement against a proposal for a golf course which, if built, would have engulfed the entire Majjistral National Park together with many of its surroundings, and a great deal of farmers' livelihoods too. The jewel known as 'Ir-Razzett Tal-Qasam'would have been engulfed and lost forever. Today, we are proud and honored to restore property that was built by the Knights and saved our founders' efforts.
Subsequent years saw huge efforts in cleaning up, planting trees, and the creation of The Rural Heritage Trail. Tours were offered focusing on providing a rural experience, whereby tourists visited the Majjistral Park and Tal-Qasam, all happily accompanied by locally-grown produce and wine. Tal-Qasam was officially entrusted to KRM under a management agreement. In the caption Air Malta Chairman Joe Capello is seen planting one of 350 olive trees donated to KRM.
Parts of Episode 8 of series 1 'The Pointy End' of Game of Thrones were filmed at Tal-Qasam in October of this year and some of the props they used are still there to this day! A initial outline application for Tal-Qasam's restoration was registered with MEPA.
In 2015, the site's main building had its walls pointed to protect them from deteriorating and eventual collapse. The years before up to 2010 were characterized by low levels of activity so as not to compromise the on-going MEPA application. 2015 marked the year in which an outline development permit was granted.
Whilst waiting for the full MEPA permit to be issued, significant progress was made in the cave dwellings and their surrounding area. The pens were rehabilitated providing new and spacious homes for our animals. A sturdy bamboo canopy was built in the picnic area.
Razzett Tal-Qasam offers all-weather facilities for the first time. The completion of Building C which is half house, half cave provides visitors with very comfortable indoor solution in case of both wet, or indeed very hot weather.
The intact part of 'Building B' was totally restored and made habitable. Pedestian facilities weregreatly improved with the installation of new staircases, footpaths with sturdy wooden railings, soft outdoor lighting and a bathroom for visitors.
The access road leading was re-built - all one hundred and forty metres of it, consisting laying of underlying utilities, a storm water system, low-intensity lighting and rubble wall restoration. Repairs to an historical underground water tunnel were also completed and the overlying fields restored so that water began to flow once again after suffering storm-damage almost fifty years prior.
So far, this year we faithfully rebuilt the water reservoir so that water produced by the newly-restored water tunnel is gathered and utilized as well as it's surrounding areas. We are also well on track to completely re-build the second part of Build B by the end of 2024. This room was practically completely lost many decades ago although nobody is quite sure exactly when.