The Dominican Friars of Valletta have em-barked on a project to restore the interior and exterior of their parish church, dedicated to Our Lady of Porto Salvo (Our Lady of Fair Havens) in Merchants Street.

Extensive work is being carried out on the exterior of the dome to stop rainwater seeping in, causing damage to the paintings.

The work is being done by the Government Restoration Directorate and with the help of Parliamentary Secretary José Herrera.

A study exercise is also under way to seek funds for the restoration of the church’s façade and belfries. Preparations to start restoring the church’s paintings by Maltese artists Pietru Pawl Caruana and Gużeppi Calì and his son Ramiro are progressing.

Volunteers have been carrying out cleaning, painting and restoration works on the side chapels, as well as the doors of the church and the entry to the sacristy.

Funds are needed to restore the church façade, which is in bad shape.

A volunteer cleaning the church’s interior.

This year, the friars intend to set up a museum near the sacristy, where various artistic and priceless objects belonging to the church and the convent will be exhibited.

The first stone of St Dominic church was blessed on November 25, 1804, by Bishop Vincenzo Labini. The church, built by architect Antonio Cachia, was blessed and inaugurated on May 15, 1815, by Bishop Ferdinando Mattei.

The frairs, led by parish priest Michael Camilleri, urge companies and entities who have Malta’s heritage at heart to come forward to offer their help in safeguarding this national monument.

For more information, call Fr Camilleri on 2124 7535.

parrocca.valletta.sd@maltadiocese.com