Restoration works at the co-cathedral

I refer to the letter The Splendour Of St John’s Co-Cathedral by Bernard Vassallo (January 24) and the letter titled Co-Cathedral’s Restoration by Agatha Grima (January 28). The council of The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation would like to thank both Mr Vassallo and Ms Grima for highlighting and appreciating the restoration works that have been undertaken on the initiative of the foundation during the last few years.

Besides the several excellent restoration works conducted by Sante Guido and ReCoop, the foundation would like to mention and thank also the other restoration firms that have carried out equally excellent work in the Co-Cathedral such as: the Courtauld Institute of Art, London, for their work which is still in progress on the Grand Masters’ crypt, The De Wit Royal Manufacturers of Tapestry Restoration Laboratories for their ongoing work on the restoration of the unique Flemish tapestry collection, The Restoration Unit within the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs for the also ongoing restoration of the various parts of the exterior of the Co-cathedral, Daniel Gauci for the restoration of the pulpit, Kenneth Cauchi for managing the restoration of the Lascaris bell, the foundation’s resident conservator and marble restorers for their constant and diligent daily work as well as any other restorer that has in any form or manner made a contribution to safeguarding St John’s Co-Cathedral and its treasures.

The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation is non-profit-making and funds earned through the admission tickets are being invested in the conservation, restoration and maintenance of this unique monument; the accumulated needs of St John’s require an ongoing huge investment in order to preserve the Co-Cathedral for future generations. The foundation would also like to take this opportunity to thank and show its gratitude to its several sponsors and consultants for their substantial contributions. It should be noted that maintenance work is entrusted only to highly skilled personnel.

Each restoration and conservation work entails a preliminary scientific and artistic study of what needs to be carried out and the formulation of a restoration methodology for the approval of the foundation’s council and its advisers.

A detailed report on the restoration is expected for the foundation’s records. A copy of these reports is deposited with the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage who is always welcome to follow each project in its different stages. Calls for tenders are generally issued for each restoration work, except when, occasionally, a restoration project is sponsored, and the foundation ensures that work is carried out by qualified restorers/conservators with a proven track record.