The historic Church of the Annunciation (tal-Lunzjata), located in Siġġiewi’s Salib tal-Għolja, is currently undergoing extensive underground restoration and consolidation works.
This project, worth a total of €1.2 million, is expected to be completed by June 2025, and is being carried out through an agreement between the Restoration and Preservation Department within the Ministry for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government, and the Archdiocese of Malta.
These “essential works” are being done to preserve the site, which was formerly at risk due to the unstable nature of the rock which the Church is located on. It is believed that the original church was built in the second half of the 15th century; documented evidence shows that the church was rebuilt between 1680 and 1681, but suffered great damage from the earthquakes of 1693, 1856, and 1923.
Culture Minister Owen Bonnici visited this restoration project alongside the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Alison Zerafa Civelli.
During the visit, Minister Bonnici stated that “the restoration of [this church] shows our commitment to preserve Malta’s rich cultural and historical heritage.” Satisfied with the ongoing progress, Bonnici thanked the workers involved and stated how “this project is not only restoring an important historical monument, but also ensuring its stability and security for future generations.”
Parliamentary Secretary Alison Zerafa Civelli welcomed the restoration and interventions that are being carried out at this site. She remarked that “the preservation and restoration of our cultural heritage, and in this case, religious heritage, is an important part of the work of this government” before commenting on our generation’s duty to keep and cherish “what our forefathers handed down to us.”
So far, the work has included continuous documentation on the church’s structure and surrounding geological movements, support for the cave’s unstable structure, and bolstering its roof with a layer of concrete. Temporary reinforced concrete beams have been put in place for the time being to support the heavy machinery required to drive piles underground. The church’s roof has also been temporarily dismantled and its floor has also been removed in preparation for the upcoming works.
The Archdiocese has appointed Dr. Adrian Mifsud as the geotechnical consultant responsible for the design and supervision of the underground consolidation works for this “very important temple.”
The Government, through the Restoration and Preservation Department, is responsible for the general management of the project, the supervision of all restoration interventions on the church building, and on the coverage of costs related to both on-site restoration and underground consolidation.
Present during this visit were Siġġiewi mayor, Perit Julian Borg, together with members from the local council and Archpriest Josef Mifsud.