EU Funds: Conserving, protecting and promoting ecclesiastical cultural heritage

The beauty of Maltese churches reflects the historical devotion of the Maltese population but their value goes well beyond religion. Indeed, some of the country’s churches and chapels offer a unique contribution greatly towards Malta’s architectural, artistic and historical value.

In many cases, ecclesiastical authorities are responsible for their upkeep and maintenance, making it a tough challenge to preserve such jewels in their original state. Unfortunately, a number of parish churches had suffered significant damage throughout the years.

Aware of the importance of such buildings for Maltese identity and our sense of community, the Foundation for Cultural Heritage of the Archdiocese of Malta, secured the sum of €4.5m, the majority of which financed by the European Union, to carry out works of restoration and conservation works on a significant number of parishes across Malta and Gozo.

Through some 32 different sub-projects split over three phases, the external structure of churches and chapels, domes, bell towers, paintings and other works of art are being restored so that our religious patrimony will be better protected in a way that it can be enjoyed by future generations.

Various works of arts which enrich these holy buildings are also being restored so that they can be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

The churches and chapels which are benefitting from the EU Regional Development Fund include the Parish churches of Attard, Balzan, Bidnija, Birkirkara (Santa Marija), Mgarr, Tarxien, Naxxar, Paola, Hamrun (St Gaetan), Floriana, Qrendi, Zebbug, Bormla, Kirkop, Valletta (St Paul’s Shipwreck), Zejtun and Zurrieq as well as two chapels in Għargħur, the Madonna tas-Samra Church in Ħamrun and St Theresa d’Avila Chapel in Valletta.

Restoration of artefacts will be carried out at Mdina Cathedral, Rabat (St Paul’s), Birkirkara (St Helen), Dingli, Għargħur (Ta’ Bernarda), Mosta and Marsaxlokk while paintings in the Parish Churches of Senglea and San Girgor, Sliema were restored.

The projects also include the construction of a museum in the rooms which form part of the Visitors’ Lodge in the square at the Mellieħa sanctuary and the restoration of the facade and archives at the Archbishop’s Curia in Floriana.

Malta offers some 600 places of worship and the upgrading of the quality and access of our sites of devotion can also lead to tourism based on faith. As the Archbishop rightfully put it, this project is a nod of appreciation towards the sacrifices of our forefathers who expressed their faith through the religious heritage we enjoy today, and which we are responsible for passing on to those who come after us.