Maintenance and restoration work on the church dedicated to St Bartholomew has begun, the Ministry for National Heritage said in a statement on Wednesday. The church is located in Zurrieq in the Xarolla area.

The Ministry said that the restoration work is being done in order to return the Church to its original state. It added that the work is being carried out by the Restoration and Preservation Department, and that completion is expected by February 2025.

During a visit to the site, National Heritage Minister Owen Bonnici said that the restoration work is crucial to continue protecting the country’s national heritage and preserve it for future generations.

Bonnici said that St Bartholomew church is an integral part of Zurrieq’s history and identity. He continued that it is important that attention and care is given to the Church so that it can continue serving as a place of devotion and historical remembrance. The minister remarked that work will continue so that such churches continue being appreciated and recognised for their cultural value.

The Ministry said that the church had originally been a smaller chapel built in 1482 dedicated to St Bartholomew, but that work had begun in 1775 to build a larger church, which was then completed in 1784.

It said that work included throughout the restoration project will include, among others, the repairing and repainting of all the church’s apertures, the restoration of the main door, as well as work on the roof and dome along with the replastering of a lime-based mixture on the front of the church specifically chosen to match the colour of the original stone. The Ministry added that deteriorated stones will be replaced where necessary.

Zurrieq Mayor Rita Grima and members of the Zurrieq Local Council were also present for the visit, along with Archpriest Fr David Cardona.