Restoration work to begin on Safi Parish Church

Restoration work will begin in the coming weeks on the Safi Parish Church, dedicated to the Conversion of St. Paul, as it will benefit from restoration funding. This church was officially consecrated in 1784. Minister for Culture, Lands and Local Government Owen Bonnici said that this project is an important step in the conservation of the church's architectural heritage, with an emphasis on sensitive interventions that respect the original character of the building. He stressed that this initiative is expected to contribute in a concrete way to safeguarding this building and passing it on to future generations in the best possible condition. The Parish Archpriest Fr Ivan Scicluna welcomed this investment with satisfaction and thanked the authorities for their continued support towards the protection and enhancement of this important heritage. This intervention is giving particular importance to the dome and its drum, which are prominent architectural elements and highly exposed to the natural elements. Although these areas are generally in good condition, they show signs of deterioration due to time and continuous exposure. From the studies carried out, it was observed that there are a number of open stone joints, particularly in the upper levels of the facade and the bell tower, which are allowing water and humidity to enter the building fabric. In addition, biological deposits such as algae and lichens were found, as well as some “black crust” formations in protected areas such as under the chronicles and in the bell tower. The restoration works will include the removal of unwanted metal elements, local cleaning where necessary, and specialised treatments to remove “black crusts”. Where there is damage to the stonework, repairs will be carried out using “plastic repair” techniques or replacement of joints where necessary, using compatible and high-quality materials. An essential part of the intervention will be the repointing of joints to ensure they are adequately sealed and reduce the risk of water infiltration. The Mayor of Safi, Johan Mula, was present for this visit. Photo: MCLG