Restoration reveals original features of Xlendi statue

Restoration of the statue of St Andrew, situated in the fishermen quarters of picturesque Xlendi Bay in Gozo, is nearing completion after months of careful intervention, the government said yesterday.

The job, which started last September, involved the removal of various cement and paint layers in an attempt to expose the original sculptural features.

During this phase, what is thought to have been the original was uncovered. It transpired that the oldest coatings applied on the statue consisted of a transparent oil based rendering on the figure of the saint and a reddish brown rendering on the cross - not the white layer with which the statue had been covered for these last years.

The restorers have applied matching paints to give the statue its original feel of 120 years ago.

Extensive areas of badly weathered parts have been repaired, the stone has been consolidated and a final protective layer of specialised colour paint has been applied.

The final phase of the statue's restoration should be concluded in the coming weeks, the government said.

Although the statue and its limestone pedestal have been periodically rendered with plaster and/or paint layers, this was the first time that intensive restoration works have been carried out.

The statue was inaugurated in June 1882 by the then Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Giovanni Maria Camilleri. St Andrew is the patron saint of fishermen.

Restoration works are being carried out by employees of the Projects and Development Department within the Ministry for Gozo together with the Munxar local council, which is responsible for Xlendi Bay.