The church of St Publius will be organising two Open Days, on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October to coincide with the annual Floriana Local Council event: Floriana - a heaven of gardens..... and much more.
The St Publius Church is an architectural masterpiece, its sheer size and the structural lineaments that adorn it make it one of the most outstanding buildings in the country.
One of the open days' highlights will be is the opportunity to visit the north steeple, from where one can admire the church's architecture from above, as well as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take in the breathtaking panoramic views from above Floriana.
Visitors will also be able to see, from close range, the church's impressive set of bells.
To make the visit a to St. Publius church a truly memorable one, visitors will also be given access to the working platform in the transept on the right hand side of the high altar dedicated to Our Lady of Rosaries, where works connected with the decoration and which will later on also include the affixing of paintings to the barrel vaulted ceiling, are in progress.
During the two day festival, St. Publius church will be adorned with a vast number of natural plants and special lighting.
A special attraction will be an exhibition of ganutell - artificial flowers worked in gold, silver and coloured threads. Professionals from this specialised field will be participating. Amongst the exhibits, the church's own impressive ganutell collection, items that are normally displayed on the altars and elsewhere in the church during the annual feast days of St. Publius, will also be on display.
To complement all that is happening inside the church, , the large adjacent parvis on the north side of the church (running parallel to Sarria Street) will be transformed into a garden. In this area, on Sunday 18 October at noon, a lunch will be served during which singer Ludwig Galea will perform live, accompanied on a keyboard by Conrad Briffa.
Entrance to any part of the church will be free of charge but those attending the lunch will be asked for a €18 donation for adults and €10 for children.
To book or for further information, contact the Parish office on 21247106) or Stephen Tonna on 70330649.