OPR - Tuesday, 28th November, 2006

President Eddie Fenech Adami visited the ongoing restoration works at The Palace Chapel in Valletta, accompanied by the Hon. Ninu Zammit Minister for Resources and Infrastructure and Dr Ray Bondin, from the Valletta Rehabilitation Project.

The President emphasised the importance of such restoration projects since they aid us in re-discovering our cultural heritage, and thus our national identity. President Fenech Adami thanked Dr. Ray Bondin and the Minister for the work that has been made so far and augured that the project in this room be soon completed with the hope that it would be again used as the Chapel of The Palace.

When the Magistral Palace was built by the Knights, the Grand Master had his bedroom next to the Chapel and this therefore served as his private chapel. During the first years of British rule, the chapel was used for protestant services and later it was turned into an office.

The frescoes by Filippo Paladini, adorning the chapel depict the life of St John the Baptist, are amongst the most important sixteenth century frescoes in Malta. These paintings were heavily damaged during World War II, when about three fourths of the fresco layer got detached.

The frescoes were held in place by means of a layer of sheets of paper in 1942. Subsequently expert studies were conducted on the possibility of carrying out restoration work on these frescoes, however none were deemed feasible, until 1998 when the Getty Conservation Institute and the Courtauld Wall Painting Department agreed to undertake the project, at the request of the Valletta Rehabilitation Project.

Restoration work started with the compilation of detailed documentation of the state of the paintings.  When the process was completed, the paintings were cleaned and restored. Specialised conservation and restoration works on the canvas paintings were also carried out as well as the restoration of the original painted wooden ceiling which was carried out by Dresden University of Fine Arts.

The total expense related to the above mentioned works amounts to around Lm200,000. Early next year the remaining works will be carried out so that the whole project will be completed. These works consist of the completion of the restoration of the canvas painting, the installation of a new lightning system, the restoration of the damask and the re-opening of the blocked doorway so that the Chapel will be easily accessible to the general public.

These works complement the other important restoration works which are ongoing at the Presidential Palaces: The Palace, Valletta, San Anton Palace and Verdala Palace. The Palaces contain historical artefacts that constitute part of our unique national patrimony. This heritage is gradually being restored for the benefit of the general public as well as the tourists who visit our islands.

 President Eddie Fenech Adami with Minister Ninu Zammit and VRP Chairman Ray Bondin during a visi tto the Palace chapel.

Before                                                                                                       After

The head of St John the Baptist from the 'Decollation' scene.

Before                                                                                                       After

The frescos when in 1942 were covered with used lottery tickets and a photo after being restored.

An overview of part of the frescoes and ceiling after restoration.