Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici visited the restoration project on the facade of the Oratory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Mosta, which is being carried out by the Restoration Directorate. The restoration works, which began in August 2022, are expected to be completed by the end of May 2023.
The Oratory is one of ten projects being funded by the Local Councils Scheme, which covers the restoration of historical structures in various localities and communities.
Minister Owen Bonnici stated that “This government is committed to continue implementing initiatives that focus on the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of historical sites in our localities on a regular basis. The Oratory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is one of a series of projects that are being completed so that we can continue to preserve our localities, thanks to the tireless work of the Restoration Directorate.”
The Mayor of Mosta Chris Grech stated that, “This restoration project is important for Mosta, as the Oratory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus holds a civic, religious, dramatic and sporting culture for whole generations of young people and adolescents, for whom the Oratory was their second home. Therefore, through this project we will continue to appreciate the heritage left to us by our predecessors.”
Audrey Ann Bonnici, the architect responsible for the restoration work, explained that the interventions primarily involved the cleaning, repair and reconstruction of the facade, and cleaning and restoration on the statues of the facade, among other works.
The Oratory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was completed in 1935 and inaugurated in 1940, based on the design of architect Nettu Mifsud Ellul.
Members of the Mosta Local Council and the Executive Secretary were also present at the press conference.
