Ħamrun church dome lighting signals end of restoration

The restoration works on the dome of St Cajetan’s parish church in Ħamrun is in an advanced stage, one year from the project’s official announcement, and the dome will be lit next week ahead of the patron saint’s feast.

The project, which is split into two phases, costs a total €163,367 and, although the first phase was completed, the parish still had to raise €60,000 to break even, parish priest Fr Henry Balzan said.

The first phase, costing €122,367, involved exterior structural works on the dome, from changing balustrades that were so eroded they were posing a danger to pedestrians below, to waterproofing it to protect the paintings of Emvin Cremona within.

In all, 112 balustrades, 56 arches and 16 pointed finials were replaced in the process.

The exterior structural works, under the supervision of architect Carmen Sutton, were carried out by Agius Stone Works.

The dome has been illuminated with eco-friendly LED bulbs by Nexos Lighting Technology.

“The intention is not ‘to flood’ the dome with light but to present architectural lighting... We are illuminating the dome itself, just like other monumental buildings in Malta and abroad. Apart from this, the old system of illumination was causing a lot of damage to the stonework and to the structure itself,” Fr Balzan said.

Before starting the works, the University’s History of Art Department was approached for artistic background of the dome and the parish church itself.

“This was important to ensure the project remains within the parameters of the artistic and architectural significance of the church. A preliminary report was compiled, which served as very useful guidance. Their assistance was especially appreciated when it came to the interior restoration of the dome,” Fr Balzan added.

The second stage of the project involves the restoration of the dome’s interior, which started before June 2010 and should be completed by the end of the year.

There are eight paintings by Emvin Cremona on the dome’s interior, depicting scenes from the life of St Cajetan, but, over the years, these have started peeling off. Seeping rainwater did not help matters and neither did the warm air floating up to the dome through the use of candles or the fumes of traffic passing through the congested High Road.

Recoop, Architecture and Fine Arts were contracted to inject glue between the paintings and the wall, make the necessary retouches and thoroughly clean up the paintings.

The rest of the decoration and restoration works are being carried out by a team of volunteers led by vice parish priest Fr Joe Gatt under the supervision of Vincent Centorrino, an expert in restoration and member of the parish economic council.

The project was announced in June 2010 by the late President Emeritus Guido de Marco whom Fr Balzan described as “a real Ħamruniż” and who was always present for Mass on the parish’s feast day.

“When we asked him to patronise our project, he immediately accepted with great enthusiasm. He kept abreast of the works ever since... I’m sure he is overseeing the works from above. He must be because his son, Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco, immediately offered to step into his father’s footsteps for which we are most grateful,” he said.

Fr Balzan thanked all the parishioners, commercial entities and clubs, corporate organisations and public figures for their support and appealed for help to collect the remaining funds.

The dome will be lit for the first time on Wednesday and then from August 1 to 7.