The government is committed to restore and safeguard the historic and cultural heritage, and an example of this was the work being carried out at the Saint Gregory church in Zejtun, Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit said yesterday.

This work was part of a chain of projects that have been carried out over the past years in a number of chapels such as Tac-Cwerra in Siggiewi, St James in Luqa, St James in Zurrieq, St Roque in Mdina and the one dedicated to Mary Magdalene in Dingli.

The chapel being restored by the ministry’s restoration division in Zejtun is dedicated to St Catherine but it is better-known as St Gregory’s. The project is being carried out in collaboration with the parish following a request by parish priest Eric Overend.

A ministry statement said that the general condition of the chapel was good, but some repairs were needed to avoid bigger problems in the future. The work is expected to take one year to complete.

The origins of the church are not known. The first time it is mentioned is in 1436. Apart from its religious importance, the church was also used as a means of defence since its position over St Thomas Bay was considered to be of strategic importance.

Other work being carried out by the restoration division include the Sarria chapel in Floriana, the chapel dedicated to Our Lady in Mtarfa, the Ta’ Ceppuna chapel in Marsa, the St Albert chapel in Zurrieq as well as the bastions beneath the Lower Barrakka and the entrance to Victoria Gate in Valletta.

The ministry also plans to restore some 25 kilometres of bastions in Mdina, Cottonera, Floriana and Valletta, using funds from the European Union.