A year-long restoration project on the dome of St. George’s Basilica, in Victoria, Gozo has now been completed, and was officially inaugurated on Friday.
The work included the restoration of the decoration, paintings and stained glass, and was made possible through a project being carried out by by the Kura Association within the Gozo diocese, co-financed by the European Union.
This latest completed work forms part of a series of restoration and conservation projects being carried out in various Gozitan parishes and communities, which are being led by San Lawrenz Mayor Noel Formosa, with a total value of € 2 million from the European Regional Development Fund.
Minister for Gozo Dr Justyne Caruana, who was present for the inauguration, explained that the next project is for a new system of illumination for the façade of the Basilica, and an agreement has been made with the Ministry for Gozo to assist with the sum of €65,000 for the cost of this professional lighting system.
Minister Caruana thanked Dr Aaron Farrugia, Parliamentary Secretary for European Affairs for his assistance and collaboration. She also praised Bishop Mario Grech for his initiative on these restoration projects, and all those involved in the process.
Diocese completed projects have also been inaugurated over the past weeks in the Gozo Cathedral, Ghasri, Qala, Sannat, Marsalforn, Xaghra and Kercem.
Photograph: MGOZ/Terry Camilleri