Restoration of Dingli chapel

Chapels and historic buildings that have been neglected for years are being restored by the employees of the restoration section within the Infrastructure Ministry, the ministry said.

Visiting restoration works at the St Mary Magdalene chapel, in Dingli, Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit said the chapel was in a rather good condition externally but required extensive maintenance work internally. Its walls were cleaned of cement which is incompatible with limestone to highlight a vernacular construction.

The chapel was rebuilt in the 17th century although a chapel had been in existence on the spot for at least 200 years previous to that. The chapel is the property of the Dingli parish.

The minister said the restoration section has carried out works on the historic entrance arch in the vicinity of Girgenti Palace. The arch was built in 1728.

It had been damaged by vehicles that were used to widen the road years ago and had never been repaired.