Architectural plans of burnt down Floriana Arch preserved for posterity

The 2019 arson of the 19th century arch dedicated to St Publius came as a shock to the parish of Floriana and the general public.

In the months following the loss of this historic monument, Dr Joan Abela was contacted and informed of the discovery of the original architectural plan of the arch. The Notarial Archives Foundation took the opportunity to collaborate with the Assoċjazzjoni Publju ta’ Malta, to carry out conservation work on the 19th century architectural plan and give it a new lease to life.

The arch was inaugurated in 1899 and was used regularly until the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, which forced the parish to hide it. Thereafter, the monument was left to rot for several decades, until it was restored and displayed in public again for the first time in 1999.

The conservation treatment of the plan was quite challenging, owing to its size. The plan had suffered from severe water damage, thus weakening the material. It was adhered to canvas and backed with severely acidic cardboard. It required various interventions, such as detaching the plan from the canvas, consolidation, and strengthening of weak areas. The plan was supported with Japanese paper and backed with acid-free conservation-grade board. As per the request of the Association, the conserved plan was then framed using museum glass, which ensures its long-term preservation.

Joan Abela, the President of the Notarial Archives Foundation, explained that the Foundation felt duty-bound to undertake this conservation project as it wished to stress that the conservation of historical documents and manuscripts ought to only be entrusted to qualified book and paper conservators.

This architectural plan of the St Publius arch was professionally treated by the book and paper conservators Chanelle Briffa and Maria Borg.