Delayed Valletta St Paul's Shipwreck church works set to go ahead
Restoration of the facade and bell towers was first announced in 2023
Belated restoration of the facade and bell towers of St Paul's Shipwreck church in Valletta can now be taken in hand following an agreement between the Culture Ministry, Valletta local council and the chapter of the collegiate church.
A contract for the restoration works, signed by Mayor Olaf McKay and Camray Ltd, which will carry out the works, was handed to parish priest Fr David Cilia on Monday.
The works will be overseen by the Culture Ministry and paid for through the Urban Development Fund of the Planning Authority.
A drawing of the facade and belltowers.The project was first announced in February 2023 but a contract was annulled amid accusations of conflict of interest a year later.
A contracts review board in February last year upheld the decision to cancel the €164,000 tender. But then in April the Court of Appeal overturned that decision.
A new contract was signed last Friday between the local council and a new contractor, Camray Ltd for the works to go ahead.
The church's facade was built in 1885, replacing another one built in 1725. The new facade was designed by Nikola Zammit and the building works were handled by Annunzjat Schembri with sculptures by Antonio Busuttil.
In a short ceremony on Monday the Archpriest thanked all those involved in reaching the agreement and the Planning Authority for funding the works.