13 patrimonial sites which vary from statues, niches, monuments, chapels and other historical structures found in the various villages and cities, will benefit from restoration through the 7th Call of the Restoration Works Scheme for Local Councils by the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government with the cooperation of the Restoration Directorate and the collaboration of the Directorate for Government (Implementation of Strategy and Policy within the Local Government Division).

Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici, in an event during which the chosen localities benefitting from the scheme were announced, said that the scheme has the aim of valorising the historical patrimony which is found in the various communities.  Historical artefacts found in the respective villages and cities occupy pride and place in the communities and this scheme has the aim of safeguarding those important aspects of our heritage, Dr Bonnici said.

Dr Bonnici explained that contrary to previous years, this time round a decision was taken to implement all eligible projects, thirteen, on a two-year stretch.  “Very good submissions were made and thirteen projects merited a positive outcome,”  he said.

He said that the Government is committed to keep delivering initiatives which preserve, restore and rehabilitate our historical patrimony.  He saluted the various entities forming part of the Ministry which put in a very strong effort to achieve this aim.

Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government Alison Zerafa Civelli praised the commitment of the workers of the Restoration Directorate to carry out this scheme. 

“Through restoration on historical places and monuments, we are preserving the Maltese Cultural Heritage for the generations after us”, added Zerafa Civelli, “while raising the value of our locations for residents, tourists and locals that visit these locations”.

Local Councils benefiting from this scheme are: Ħal Tarxien, Xgħajra, Rabat, San Ġwann, Żejtun, Għargħur, Marsaskala, Kirkop, Fgura, Ħaż-Zebbuġ, Żurrieq, Santa Venera and Ħal-Lija.

For this Press conference, there were present representatives from the Directorate of Restoration and the Directorate for the Implementation of Strategy and Policy, as well as the mayors of the 13 Local Councils.

Addtional information:

• 1. Rabat: St. Paul’s statue and the façade of St. Magdalene’s church (both located on the church parvis)
• 2. Żejtun: St. Clement’s chapel
• 3. Ħal Lija: Old Parish Chruch
• 4. San Ġwann: Tal-Propostu chapel
• 5. Ħaż Żebbuġ: Madonna tad-Dawl Church
• 6. Kirkop: Salib tad-Dejma
• 7. Għargħur: 2 niches (dedicated to St. Bartholomew and St. Paul) located in the main square of the village
• 8. Fgura: Statue dedicated to Our Lady of Graces
• 9. Santa Venera: Aqueduct water tower
• 10. Tarxien: Façade of St. Joseph’s chapel and adjoining St. Jeanne Antide Foundation building
• 11. Marsaskala: St. Joachim’s statue
• 12. Żurrieq: Niche of St. Paul
• 13. Xgħajra: St. James Church

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