The treasures and history of the imposing Floriana parish church, dedicated to St Publius, are documented in a detailed 400-page “encyclopaedia”.

Called Il-Knisja ta’ San Publju fil-Furjana – Storja u Arti (The St Publius church in Floriana – history and art), the volume was compiled by the editorial team behind the quarterly publication Il-Furjana.

“This book fills a lacuna because it brings together all the information related to the church in one publication. It covers everything from the walls inwards,” the editor of Il-Furjana, Stephen Tonna, said. The publication includes contributions from former European Court of Human Rights judge Giovanni Bonello and University professors Oliver Friggieri and Henry Frendo – who were both born in Floriana – among others.

Paintings, sculptures, embroidered cloth, bells, architecture, lace and gold and silver items found inside the church all feature in the book, which contains more than 450 photographs.

It will be officially launched tomorrow at 7.30pm during a ceremony in the church, kicking off a week of activities that will lead up to the feast of St Publius, which opens the season of summer feasts.