With a joint investment of €643,000 from the Malta Tourism Authority, the Cultural Heritage Foundation of the Archdiocese of Malta and European funds, Pilgrim’s Lodge was inaugurated, a new ecclesiastical museum next to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mellieħa.
This museum, whose building is one of the oldest in Mellieħa, offers information about the history of the Mellieħa Sanctuary as well as devotional items used by the sanctuary over the years. Through these objects, anyone who will visit the place can experience what the pilgrims lived who over the years visited the Madonna of Mellieħa in order to intercede for them in their needs.
The details were announced during an official inauguration ceremony attended by the Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo, the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett, the Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi, the Archpriest of the Parish of Mellieħa Rev. Joe Caruana, the Local Council of Mellieħa, representatives of the Malta Tourism Authority, the Cultural Heritage Foundation of the Archdiocese of Malta and other distinguished guests.
The Minister for Tourism Clayton Bartolo pointed out that this ecclesiastical museum is an opportunity through which our country continues to strengthen its product when it comes to the niche of religious tourism. “When it comes to religious traditions, the Maltese Islands are renowned for the internal and external festivals that take place in the villages and towns during the summer months. However, attractions of this nature help greatly for the Maltese, the Gowis and the tourists to enjoy the cultural and religious history that Malta has to offer throughout the year,” stressed Minister Clayton Bartolo.
The Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett said that as evidenced by a project like this, the help of European and national funds are being used to conserve various areas of our country’s cultural heritage while increasing the value of the Maltese tourist product.
“As we have reached the end of the program of European funds 2014-2020, such projects emphasize the goal of the government which is using all resources to invest in the preservation of cultural sites, so that they can be enjoyed in the throughout the generations to come while serving as a benefit not only for tourists but also for the community and as a reminder of the rich history of our country,” repeated Dr Bonett.
Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi thanked everyone who contributed and said that this museum, which was made with a lot of work from different entities, shows the fruit that leaves when everyone works together and pulls one rope. Emphasize that this project and the many others that have been inaugurated in recent years show the need to cherish the heritage that our forefathers left us for the benefit of today’s Maltese and Gowis and for the generations to come. we leave them a truly beautiful legacy.
The Archpriest of Mellieħa, Rev Joe Caruana, said that this project was demanding because apart from the restoration of the stone of the rooms and the installation of new services, the biggest project was to strengthen the foundations of -building because of the structural damage that the place suffered over time. In particular, he thanked the Melliħija community that believed in the project and gave its support for it to be carried out.
The Administrative Secretary of the Archdiocese of Malta Michael Pace Ross thanked all the workers who were involved in this project, including Gabriella Mallia from EMCS, Suzannah Depasquale and Theresa Vella from the Curatorial Studio and Mardeo Farrugia who took view the progress of the project.
Pilgrim’s Lodge is part of the 33 restoration projects that the Cultural Heritage Foundation of the Archdiocese of Malta is carrying out in order to conserve, protect and promote the ecclesiastical cultural heritage.
