The side chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Xaghra Basilica recently underwent extensive conservation and restoration works. The work was carried out by restorer Manwel Zammit from Zejtun in Malta.
The cupola painting, by Roman artist Virginio Monti, had suffered severe cracks during the course of many decades, to the extent that some of the colours were actually peeling away. The restoration has revived the original colours and some of the mortar which had colour attached to it was also painstakingly reintegrated. Further restoration works were also carried out on the four pendentives on canvas by Monti.
The altar painting dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has also been restored, this painting is the work of Francesco Vincenzo Zahra and dates back to around 1728, making it one of the earliest paintings by Zahra when he was just 18. It is complemented by a sculptured prospective, which bears the artist’s strong influence in design and composition.
The restoration works also included the repainting and gilding of the surrounding sculptured stone features as well as the installation of stained-glass windows by local village craftsmen under the supervision of Manwel Zammit.