The main cupola in the church of St Catherine of Italy in Valletta has been restored to its former splendour, cleaned of the grime and dirt that accumulated over the years in an intensive three-year restoration project. Funded by Bank of Valletta, the restoration works were entrusted to Italian company, Giuseppe Mantella Restauri, internationally renowned restorers who have extensive experience in Malta having worked at St John’s Co-Cathedral, also in the city.

The Resources Ministry gave a helping hand by providing scaffolding and workers from the Restoration Unit as well as funding the restoration of the side of the chapel facing Merchants Street, worth around €65,000.

The restored cupola was officially inaugurated last Friday to coincide with the feast of the church’s patron saint. The church was designed by Maltese architect Girolamo Cassar for the Italian Knights and is adjacent to Auberge D’Italie. It was built in 1572.

The paintings are the work of 17th century Italian Baroque artist Mattia Preti who was also responsible for the transformation of the interior of St John’s Co-Cathedral.

The cupola is divided into eight segments by ribs that descend from the apex of the lantern, framing the large medallions that depict scenes from the life of St Catherine.

The church is still used today by the Italian community and has undergone extensive external and internal restoration over the last 10 years.

The building suffered from centuries of exposure to the natural elements including rainwater and seismic activity and was also damaged in the war.

Although the exterior was restored in 2003, the interior had remained in a bad state of repair after the cupola’s decorations lost a lot of the pictorial layer.