Bank of Valletta will be financing the restoration of the main cupola of the baroque St Catherine of Italy Church in Valletta, a project that will effectively complete the conservation of this unique church.

In a statement the bank said that following a restoration project in 2003 to the exterior of the church, the interior remained in a bad state of repair and conservation efforts were long due.

Bank of Valletta, upon valuing the significance of the project gave its full support to the completion of the dome as part of its commitment towards the community..

Following centuries of climatic and man-made conditions the church was left in a dilapidated state. Besides the infiltration of rainwater, it suffered extensive damage during World War II.

Moreover, the stone of which the lantern of the dome is made, suffers from a process called powdering.

The dome, which is divided in eight segments by ribs, is decorated with a phytomorph pattern and scenes from the life of St Catherine. The conservation of the church’s dome involves an extensive restoration project and includes a combination of applications to ensure that the natural colours of the painted dome are brought back to their original grandeur.