The Foundation of St John’s Co-Cathedral was recently awarded a certificate of merit for the restoration of the Chapel of the Langue of Italy in the co-cathedral. The

certificate is recognition of a valuable contribution to the conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage from the heritage awards jury of the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Awards 2006.

The total cost of the restoration amounted to approximately EUR600,000. The ambitious project was made possible as a result of a very generous allocation of funds through the fifth financial protocol between the government of the Republic of Italy and the government of Malta.

The Chapel of the Langue of Italy, dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria, had been in need of conservation for several years. In May 2004, its restoration was begun by the Ditta Sante Guido Restauri e Conservazione di Opere d’Arte, with the professional advice of the Istituto Centrale per il Restauro of Rome. The project was coordinated by the Valletta Rehabilitation Project.

It included the scientific analysis, consolidation and complete restoration of the gilt, carved and polychromised stone walls and dome, the restoration of the entire altar surround, including the marble statues of St Catherine and St Euphemia, the wooden sculptures, the monument to Grand Master Gregorio Carafa and the restoration of the two lunette paintings, as well as the painting of Mary Magdalen.

The completed restoration work was unveiled on 9 December 2005.

In September 2006, the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation presented the restoration of the Chapel of Italy to Europa Nostra, in the category of Conservation of Architectural Heritage, after a call for entries was issued for the European Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Awards, and on 2 March 2007, the jury decided to grant this prestigious

certificate for the restoration of the Chapel of the Langue of Italy.

Europa Nostra, the pan-European federation for heritage, is the representative platform of over 200 NGOs active throughout Europe. It is dedicated to the placing of heritage in the mainstream of public consciousness at European, national, regional and local levels and in making heritage a priority for public policies and action, at both European and national levels.

Restoration and conservation work is an ongoing process at the Co-Cathedral. The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation can carry out ambitious but very costly projects in order to protect and preserve this unique international architectural and artistic monument only because it raises money through admission fees and as a result of generous both local and

foreign donations and sponsorships.

The Italian government has been a great benefactor to the Co-Cathedral, as can be seen in the Chapel of Italy as well as other important projects.