The Foundation of St John’s Co-Cathedral was awarded a certificate of merit for the restoration of the chapel of the Langue of Italy. The certificate is in 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 project amounted to approximately EUR 600,000. This 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 carried out 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 ably co-ordinated by the Valletta Rehabilitation Project.

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

Europa Nostra, the pan-European Federation for Heritage, is the representative platform of over 200 NGOs active throughout Europe.