Thursday marked the inauguration of the renovated façade of the Archbishop's Palace in Valletta.

This project, representing a €225,000 investment, saw 80% of its financing derived from European union funds, with the remaining funding provided by the Archdiocese of Malta.

"The inauguration was presided over by auxiliary bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi and Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne, who is responsible for European funds. Also in attendance was Michael Pace Ross, Administrative Secretary of the Archdiocese of Malta, along with the dedicated restorers and curators of the palace," a statement by the Curia read.

"Over time, the Archbishop's Palace, designated as a grade 1 building, had undergone structural and architectural deterioration, primarily attributed to air pollution from traffic to which it is exposed. The restoration process involved the removal of extraneous elements attached to the façade, thorough cleaning of masonry and concrete, and the renovation or protection of damaged masonry," the Curia said.

Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi expressed his satisfaction at the inauguration of the façade restoration, highlighting the historical significance of this architectural gem within our capital city. He emphasised the Church's commitment to preserving its cultural and religious heritage, citing various projects undertaken over the years. Bishop Galea-Curmi further remarked, "may an occasion like this assist us in appreciating expressions of beauty and serve as an encouragement to consistently discern between elements that enhance and those that detract, as the latter are not lacking either. Our preference should consistently align with what promotes the common good, benefiting everyone today and future generations."

Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne praised the collaboration between the Archdiocese of Malta and the departments managing European funds. He said that this collaboration is instrumental in preserving numerous historical and cultural buildings across Malta and Gozo, many of which are owned by the church. Fearne said that restoration initiatives such as the church trails of Malta, made possible through European funds, not only enrich Malta's cultural heritage but also enhance the country's tourism appeal.

During the ceremony, Michael Pace Ross announced the next phase of the project which involves the installation of a new lighting system to illuminate the façade.

"Dating back to the 17th century, the Archbishop's Palace, situated on the lower side of Archbishop's street near Independence square, was originally built as a residence for Baldassare Cagliares, the first Maltese-born bishop of Malta, based on a design by the architect Tommaso Dingli. The palace served as the administrative seat of the Diocese of Malta, housing its archives. Subsequent expansions, notably during Archbishop Mikiel Gonzi's episcopate, included the completion of the upper floor which he used as his residence. In 1977, the Curia relocated to casa Manresa in Floriana. Currently, the Archbishop's Palace accommodates the ecclesiastical tribunal and houses a collection of paintings and sculptures within its halls, including Francesco Zahra's portrait of Alpheran de Bussan. The palace is also home to a picturesque and uniquely sized garden in the heart of the city. In its underground cisterns, a natural spring has been flowing since before the construction of Valletta," the statement read..