Rescue plan for Gozo's medieval chapel

There is light at the end of the tunnel for Gozo's only medieval chapel, after an agreement was reached for its restoration and eventual administration.

The St Cecilia chapel in Għajnsielem, built around 1540, was in the news in recent months after one of its walls and part of its ceiling caved in, despite repeated calls on the authorities to take action.

Following months of appeals, Wirt Għawdex yesterday said it had finally reached an agreement with the Gozo Ministry to rescue the building, manned by a project team composed of representatives of the ministry and the society.

Once fully-restored, it is planned that the building will be used for exhibitions, lectures and other cultural activities.

Though partly dilapidated, the chapel is still in its original form. The damage to the chapel is believed to have been exacerbated after an ancient waterspout on the roof of the chapel for the overflow of rainfall was stolen. The chapel was set on fire last August.