The newly restored Chapel of St Mary Magdalene, located on the cliff edge of Dingli, was inaugurated on Sunday.

Belonging to the Dingli parish, extensive works were carried out by the restoration section of the Resources Ministry.

The works included the removal from the outer walls of cement that had caused harm to the stone and the placement on the façade of a new stone cross and a new plaque.

Original flagstones were revealed when tiles were removed and they were laid around the alter together with other original slabs found in the possession of a person who had kept them when the tiles were laid.

The parvis has also been repaved, using an imported material donated by a benefactor.

The Dingli parish commissioned an altar of Maltese stone, and a painting to go above it was donated by a priest from Dingli and his family, while a new door was installed.

The chapel was rebuilt in 1646, thanks to donations from the public, after it had collapsed, according to an inscription in Latin on top of the door. But the chapel dedicated to this saint dates back to at least 200 years before that date.

In February, 1936, lightening struck the chapel, smashing a round window on the façade.

For many years, it served the spiritual needs of the farmers and families in the area. Mass is said at the chapel on the liturgical feast of St Mary Magdalene, on July 22.

The area is popular with locals and tourists, who enjoy the picturesque, rural environment and the spectacular sunset.

The inauguration by Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit was held after Mass was celebrated in the space outside the chapel.