The early 19th century polychrome statue of St Roque at the Birkirkara chapel dedicated to the pilgrim saint has been restored.

The statue, which stands in the niche on the eastern façade of the chapel, is attributed to Vincenzo Dimech, who was the leading architectural sculptor of his time in Malta. During the restoration, layers of paint were removed to reveal the beautiful marbled polychrome colours.

Din l-Art Ħelwa coordinated the restoration at the invitation of chapel administrator John Tonna.

The restoration was conducted by stone conservators Ingrid Ross and James Licari, the latter from Heritage Malta, with funding by the Birkirkara council and members of the community who make use of the chapel.

The statue is a traditional representation of St Roque dressed as a pilgrim, revealing the wounds of the plague on his lower limb, together with the dog who fed him. St Roque survived the plague and assisted the sick throughout Europe in medieval times.

It is thought the statue was erected in thanksgiving because the inhabitants of the area were spared the disease.