The Chapel of Santa Marija ta’ Bir Miftuh was restored by Din l-Art Helwa in 1973 thanks to a very generous sponsorship by the Malta International Airport. You will glimpse the elegant architecture of this medieval chapel (c. 1425) and its three-arched belfry on the road to the airport in Gudja.
The impressive vaulted ceiling is a delight and, on the wall facing the altar, you can still put together several restored fragments of frescoes depicting dramatic scenes from the Last Judgement which were uncovered during restoration.
More than 30 years later Din l-Art Helwa went a step further, again through another generous sponsorship from Malta International Airport plc, with the restoration of the altarpiece and altar. The restoration was inaugurated on 7 May 2009 in time for Din l-Art Helwa’s annual Music Festival held there every May and June.
Set in a carved stone moulding, the altar painting is tempera and oil on wood and probably belongs to the second half of the 16th century. It depicts the Madonna and Child on clouds over a hilly landscape, flanked by St Peter and St Paul. The arched upper panel is dominated by the figure of God holding the Crucified Christ surrounded by angels. Not much is known about the origin of this painting.
The project was entrusted to the well known Italian firm Sante Guido e Giuseppe Mantella Restauro Opere d’Arte of St John Co-Cathedral fame.
A workshop was set up inside the Arrivals Lounge at the Malta International Airport and all restoration was carried out in full view of all visitors.
In the restoration process, one of the main problems was the unstable nature of the wooden material which caused cracking along the joints. The restorers expertly devised a new system that permitted the correct expansion and contraction of the panels.
The removal of previous emergency interventions was also necessary on the painted surface. The restorers used a particular tratteggio technique which involves the application of fine lines of various base colours from the painting to fill in the gaps. This method is taught at the Istituto Centrale di Restauro of Rome and allows for the proper appreciation and reading of the painting and, at the same time, the easy identification of the restoration intervention.
The restoration of the painted stone altar was also undertaken by the same restorers. The end result is truly spectacular.
The chapel and altarpiece can be further admired during the current Bir Miftuh International Music Festival, an annual highlight in the islands’ music calendar. The chapel, with its medieval architecture, frescoes and perfect acoustics provides a perfect backdrop to several talented ensembles made up both of established local talent and foreign high calibre musicians.
The first concert of Baroque music sponsored by the Belgian Embassy, held on 9 May was a resounding success. The next concert on the 22 May features vocal, flute and clavichord ‘Music from Austria’ with Guest Artist Baritone Benno Schollum, made possible by the Austrian Embassy and the Malta International Airport plc. On 6 June, a flute and accordion concert is sponsored by the Italian Embassy and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura.
On 19 June a three piece string recital has been made possible by the German Embassy. The Festival closes with a vocal and harp concert on 26 June sponsored by the French Embassy and the Alliance Francaise.
Complimentary refreshments, sponsored by Marsovin, will be provided in the beautiful garden of the chapel after every performance. Call Din l-Art Helwa (week-day mornings only) on 2122-5952, for further information, email [email protected] or visit our website www.dinlarthelwa.org. With your attendance you will be supporting Din l-Art Helwa’s many restoration projects.
Mr Rizzo is the Hon. Treasurer of Din l-Art Helwa
Photos by Maria Grazia Cassar and Din l-Art Helwa