The completion of restoration work costing over Lm800,000 on the centuries-old Palazzo Falson in Mdina was marked by the launching of a book about the palazzo at a reception at which Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech extolled Malta’s heritage.

“Malta’s vast heritage has also been acknowledged by UNESCO, which declared our prehistoric sites and all of our capital city Valletta world heritage sites,” said the minister.

Dr Zammit Dimech paid tribute to Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti and its chairman Maurice Degiorgio, which in the last few years has dedicated a lot of hard work to Malta’s heritage, not only by restoring Palazzo Falson to its pristine glory but also through the regular publication of Treasures of Malta.

About Palazzo Falson, Dr Zammit Dimech said: “This building, which dates from the 15th century, with part of it dating to the 13th century, was entrusted to the Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti by Captain Olaf Fredrick Gollcher. The aim of Captain Gollcher was that the foundation should ‘enrich our museum’ and ‘promote more the interest in the national heritage of Malta’. I am sure that all those who know in what state this building was before it was taken over by Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti and how it is today, following its restoration, will agree that the aims of Captain Gollcher were all met.”