Last Sunday, Wirt Ghawdex began restoring a century old ex-voto niche in Mgarr.

This niche was vandalised a few years back, when the oil painting in it, depicting Our Lady, St Peter, St John and St Francis protecting two fishermen on a ferilla in rough seas, was stolen.

Fortunately, Joe Caruana of Ghajnsielem had a colour photograph of the painting and this made it possible for the society to produce a photographic replica to replace the missing painting.

Magistrate Paul Coppini, president of Wirt Ghawdex emphasised the importance of preserving such niches which form an important part of the popular cult of Gozo’s local culture.

Also present for the event were Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono and the Mayor of Ghajnsielem Frans Cauchi.

The heritage society is involved in other restoration projects in collaboration with the ministry and Gozo Channel Co. Ltd, namely the Gunpowder Magazine on the St John’s Demi Bastion within the Citadel, the Mgarr ix-Xini Tower and the only surviving dghajsa tal-latini.