The museum of the Co-Cathedral of St John in Valletta is going through an intensive restoration and upgrading process. The St John Co-Cathedral Council wants to modernise the museum and make it more presentable, but in order to do so, it needs to move centuries-old paintings and priceless ornaments.

Journalists were yesterday invited to have a look at how the exhibits at the museum are being preserved. Paintings are being cushioned in bubble wrap, religious vests are being delicately laid flat and complex relic holders are being dismantled into hundreds of pieces.

But the most prestigious works, stored in the Cathedral museums, besides the Caravaggio painting, are the magnificent tapestries.

These tapestries were commissioned by Grand Master Perellos, curator Cynthia de Giorgio explained. There are more than 800 square metres of tapestries, she said, and these need a larger exhibit space to be properly appreciated. That is why, as part of the upgrading process, the museum will now have a 600 square metre hall.

The tapestries were hand made in Brussels and according to the curator, the Grand Master had ordered the works to be finished in record time. Every tapestry house in Brussels worked on the drapes at full-steam.

The works are expected to be completed in three years. The upgrading process is expected to cost €13 million.

“It’s high time that this museum is transformed into a modern attraction which can last until, at least 2050. Visitors will be able to visit the museum through a separate door in Merchant Street,” Ms de Giorgio explained.

Photos Baskal Mallia