Some of the best surviving wall paintings from the medieval period will be given a new lease of life through a conservation and restoration project undertaken by the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage at the University of Malta. The project is being facilitated by the Research, Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT) within the University of Malta, with the support of the Malta Airport Foundation.

Housed within the chapel of the Annunciation in Ħal Millieri on the fringes of Żurrieq, the Byzantine-style frescoes depict 12 saints that are identifiable through inscriptions. Although the artist of these artworks is unknown, it is possible that they are connected with similar painting traditions observed in southern Italy.

"We are honoured to be working with the University of Malta to help preserve a part of our cultural heritage that predates the arrival of the Knights in Malta. The chapel's proximity to Malta International Airport adds further significance to this project, reaffirming our commitment not only to enhancing Malta's touristic offering but also to give back to neighbouring communities," said the Malta Airport Foundation chairman, Josef Formosa-Gauci.

While the Malta Airport Foundation has already supported several art restoration and conservation initiatives, this will be its first project focusing on frescoes and the most extensive in terms of duration.

Over the past year, a team of conservation professionals from the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage has been monitoring the chapel, focusing on how salts have affected restoration works carried out in the 1990s. This research is intended to guide the choice of techniques for the current project as well as future maintenance. The intervention will be carried out over three years.

"This is yet another meaningful example of Corporate Social Responsibility, where a leading economic player, the Malta International Airport, through its own foundation, is supporting an applied research project, carried out by the University of Malta. The RIDT is very grateful for this support which will ensure that these unique wall paintings will be conserved for future generations," said Wilfred Kenely, CEO of the RIDT.

Once the project is completed, the team expects to have a better understanding of technical aspects of Medieval paintings in Malta as well as conservation techniques that specifically address salt-laden surfaces. The intervention will also provide the occasion to use digital technologies to study the artworks in a non-invasive manner and document all the findings in an easily accessible way.

Besides its cultural value, the project has presented students reading for their Master's degree in conservation with the opportunity to reinforce their theoretical knowledge with practical on-site experiences that cover all the phases of a restoration and conservation project.

Members of the public interested in taking a closer look at the project while it is in progress may contact the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage at [email protected].

The chapel of the Annunciation falls under the guardianship of Din l-Art Ħelwa