The extension and refurbishment of the St John’s CoCathedral Museum was approved by the planning authority today after minor architectural recommendations made by Unesco experts were taken on board by the project architects.
The project, which was approved with three votes against, includes the extension and refurbishment of St John’s Co-Cathedral Museum, which will have its own entrance and exit from Merchants Street. About 1,300 square metres will be built to house the museum and 200 square metres will become a centre focusing on the life and works of Caravaggio.
The aim is to modernise the museum and properly display the 29 Flemish tapestries, a unique set presented as a gift presented by Grand Master Ramon Perellos y Roccaful upon his election as Grand Master in 1697.
Last August, the authority suspended the decision after the International Council on Monuments and Sites expressed concerns about the project.
The Unesco experts concluded following their site visit that the project represented a significant improvement and while there would be an inevitable impact on the urban environment, the advantages far outweighed the disadvantages.
The Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee had decided there no other suitable areas to display the tapestries, except for the Cathedral itself.
But the St John’s CoCathedral Foundation said this could not be done without either covering up theit distinct features or damaging them. It said the extension would also relieve significant pressure from the visitor numbers to the Cathedral.
Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar pointed that other cathedrals in the world had developed strategies to exhibit similar tapestries within the Cathedral itself. They pointed out that this placed a dangerous precedent in terms of alterations on historical buildings.
FAA asked what studies had been carried out to show what percentage of visitors would choose to visit the museum relieving pressure on the Cathedral from the large number of visitors, since this was repeatedly raised as a main justification.
Board members Elizabeth Ellul and Alex Vella laid emphasis on the bulk of the building to be constructed and the impact on the urban landscape.
However, chairman Johann Buttigieg said it was not possible to revisit that matter.
Ms Ellul expressed surprise that the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage had not objected to this when he had objected to lesser projects in the past.
The board also approved a permit renewal for works on Cirkewwa terminal.
An artist's impression of the courtyard.