Historic Santa Venera cross restored
The cross originally stood in Santa Venera's old village square
A historic cross that has long formed part of Santa Venera's cultural and historical identity has been restored by the Public Works Department.
The restored monument was inaugurated by Local Government and Public Works Minister Alison Zerafa Civelli and Santa Venera mayor Gianluca Falzon during a ceremony marking the completion of the project.
Zerafa Civelli said the project demonstrated the professional work carried out daily by the Public Works Department in communities across Malta.
"This restoration in Santa Venera is a clear example of how, through the government's work and collaboration with local councils, we are continuing to invest in preserving the identity of our communities for the benefit of present and future generations," the minister said.
Falzon thanked the ministry and the Public Works Department for their collaboration with the local council on the project.
The cross originally stood in Santa Venera's old village square. When construction of the new parish church began in 1969, it was temporarily relocated to the roof of the church crypt until the building works were completed.
Once the church was completed, the cross was moved to its current location along one of the locality's main roads close to the old parish church.
Over the years, the monument suffered deterioration due to prolonged exposure to the elements, making restoration necessary to protect it for future generations.