The riches of St John’s Co-Cathedral are more resplendent after the atria leading to the north and south, side doorways underwent major restoration works.

The project consisted of the restoration of the dome and wall carvings of each atrium which had sustained severe deterioration from rain water infiltration, which caused the erosion of some of the carvings and the irreparable loss of the gilding.

The lower strata of the walls also sustained similar damage caused by rising damp. The carvings were found to be covered by a thick layer of dust and candle soot deposits that had accumulated over the years, St John’s Co-Cathedral curator Cynthia de Giorgio explained.

The first stage of the restoration process consisted of the removal of the thick layer of dust and candle soot and other stubborn encrustations with the appropriate cleaning solutions.

A layer of linseed oil applied during the 20th century was removed using poultices of alkaline solutions. This was followed by the consolidation of the loose stone carvings and mortar joints. The walls were then prepared for re-gilding that was carried out using 24 carat gold leaf, adopting the same gilding process used in the 17th century.

On the initiative of St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation, restoration works began in January and were carried out by the Maltese restoration firm ReCoop.

The two atria are adorned with wall-carvings carried out in the mid-1660s. The atrium to the north exit was decorated according to designs executed by Mattia Preti in 1664.

The carvings consist of wreathes, floral motifs as well as the Blacas escutcheon surrounded by cherubs who hold the standard of the Order. Banners holding the star from the donor’s coat-of-arms and the cotton plant are frequently displayed, in reference to Grand Master Nicolas Cotoner during whose reign the chapels the atria were embellished.

The restoration of the two atria follows that of the Chapel of Aragon, Catalunia and Navarre, the Chapel of Italy and the Chapel of the Virgin of Philermos. Works on the Chapel of Castille, Leon and Portugal will begin shortly.