Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici visited the ongoing restoration works on St Clement’s Chapel in Żejtun. The restoration works, which started last month, are being carried out by the Restoration and Preservation Department employees. The project is expected to be completed by next year.

This chapel is one of the 12 projects being carried out as part of the Restoration Works Scheme for Local Councils, which was issued last year. Since the launch of this scheme in 2015, a total of 43 projects have been completed.

Minister Owen Bonnici stated that these restoration projects within the various communities are welcomed by the residents. He continued that the projects completed over the years as part of this scheme have varied in nature and scale, ranging from small projects like traditional village crosses or statues to medium-scale endeavours involving historic buildings and monuments dating back to the Knights of St John.

Architect Ivana Farrugia, who was responsible for this project, explained that the focus is on restoring the chapel’s external structure. Presently, cleaning, consolidation, and repointing are being carried out on the outer walls. The roof, which has lost its original finish, will also be restored, along with replacing extensively damaged stones and reinstating lost elements. Additionally, monitoring is being conducted to ensure dormant cracks are maintained.

St Clement’s Chapel is located in the lower Żejtun area, referred to locally as ir-raħal t’isfel.  It was built in 1658 by Clement Tabone as gratitude to St Clement for surviving a Turkish attack on Malta in 1614. The year of construction is engraved in stone beneath the Tabone family coat-of-arms above the main entrance.

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