Work on Victory Church façade to commence

Restoration of the façade and belfry of the Our Lady of Victory Church in Valletta by Din l-Art Helwa is soon to start, with permits having been obtained from the Planning Authority for this important Grade 1 scheduled monument, DLH said.

“With 2018 just confirmed as European Year of Cultural Heritage, the year takes on a double significance as Valletta takes up its role as European Capital of Culture,” says the organisation.

To complete the project started in 2012, Din l-Art Helwa says it is now necessary to secure the façade and belfry in order to save the stonework from further erosion and, if funds permit, to treat the historic bells.

The Façade Appeal was launched by Din l-Art Helwa last December, and the generosity of a number of companies and individuals, many with links to Valletta, will ensure the funds raised will make it possible for the most critical areas to be treated.

In the meantime, work continues on the interior, which will see the 18th century choir stalls and the original 1790 organ being reinstated later this year, while the perimeter walls, carved altar niches and the organ balcony have now been completed.

DLH plans to conclude the work on the façade in early 2018, well in time to celebrate Valletta and the European Year of Cultural Heritage.

“The historic, artistic and spiritual significance of this church for Malta and for Europe is enormous,” said former president of Din l-Art Helwa, Simone Mizzi, who has managed the project for the last five years.

The church was built on the site where a religious ceremony was held to inaugurate the laying of the foundation stone of the new city Valletta on 28 March 1566. Grandmaster Jean Parisot de Valette personally funded for the building of the church.

Anybody wishing to make donations to enable Din l-Art Helwa to extend the areas being treated can do so to the Din l-Art Ħelwa Victory Church Account No: 008082166-001, by Bank Transfer to: MT06MMEB440820000000080821 66001 or by Cheque to: The Treasurer, Din l-Art Ħelwa, 133 Melita St, Valletta, VLT 1123.

All donations will be acknowledged.

Information about fiscal reductions to companies from the Malta Arts Council on donations to cultural projects will be supplied as requested.