The silver paint applied to the back of the Mdina Cathedral, which many found offensive, is being covered with a coat of stone-coloured paint that should eliminate the shiny eyesore.
Several samples are currently being tested to see how they react to weather conditions and, as soon as the right one is identified, all the silver paint will be covered up, architect Stephen Farrugia said.
Extensive restoration and cleaning works are in fact currently underway at the cathedral.
Mgr Alwigi Deguara, a member of the Cathedral Chapter, said silver statues of the Apostles, St Paul, St John the Baptist and Our Lady, that had been cleaned and restored, will be on display on the main altar today during a special soiree.
The statues were made by Antonio Arrighi, one of Rome's leading silversmiths, between 1741 and 1743. Usually the statues are only displayed during the feast of the conversion of St Paul in January and on the feast of Mnarja on June 29.
"These statues have a historic significance because they were twice redeemed by the cathedral during the French occupation. First they bought them back after Napoleon took them and, later, they were taken again by General Vaubois and they were again redeemed," he said.
The cathedral in fact has no large silver candelabra because these had been turned into coins. It nevertheless has a legendary silver cross that is said to have been used by the Knights of St John during the crusades. The cross is still displayed on the main altar during feasts.
The Mdina Cathedral is a real treasure trove and all sorts of works of art can be seen there. Intricate sculptures on wood can be seen on several pieces.
But the best example is undoubtedly in the chestnut timber door leading to the sacristy. The door, which has the date 1530 inscribed on it, was made by Cola Curmi and is believed to have been the main door of the original cathedral. Like the elaborate baptismal fount one can see near the main door, it survived the earthquake of 1693.
Examples of French stained glass, dating back to 1877, can also be seen. The colourful and highly ornate marble tombstones and extensive marble sculptures and decorations are also undergoing intensive restoration works and cleaning.
The most ancient tombstone dates back to 1539. What was believed to be grey marble has turned out to be fine quality white marble which had turned grey over time because of the amount of dirt that had settled on it, Mgr Deguara said.
Eight 18th century Venetian glass chandeliers with flower and other motifs are being delicately cleaned and restored. The pipe organ, dating from the late 1799s, was recently restored for the princely sum of Lm25,000. Though one sees two organs at the cathedral, only one is real. The other is there to create symmetry. The organ was built in 1774 by the famous Neapolitan organ builder Domenico Antonio Rossi.
The Chapter Hall, where the 30 Monsignors forming the Cathedral Chapter used to meet, is one of the halls that is not normally open to visitors. This is adorned by an intricate marble floor and the vaults are by Francesco Zahra.
The cathedral also houses one of the most ancient paintings on the island, an icon dating back to the 13th century. Pride of place is given to the Mattia Preti painting above the main altar which was done directly on the stone wall. It was precisely to protect the fragile painting that silver paint was applied on the outside wall. Massive amounts of money are needed for the ongoing restoration works.
"Admission fees are contributing towards the works, but tens of thousands are needed for the restoration works. A single tombstone can cost around Lm1,000 to restore, and I won't tell you how many tombstones we have," Mgr Deguara said jokingly.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can either deposit money into Mdina Cathedral Account at APS bank, account number 77 057 20000166854 or send a cheque to Mgr Deguara at the Mdina Cathedral.