Opening the treasure chest: exploring the world of ecclesiastical museums
Five free talks will shed light on the Church's precious historical collections
In Malta, every church door opens onto more than a sacred space. It reveals centuries of history, devotion, artistry, and identity often guarded quietly in sacristies, chapels, and parish museums. Yet how well do we truly understand this patrimony? And how can we ensure that what has been entrusted to us remains safeguarded, studied, and appreciated for generations to come?
This month, a thought-provoking five-part series titled “Caring for Ecclesiastical Museums and Collections” will shed light on these compelling questions. The talks will be held Monday 24 to Friday 28 November at 18:00 at the Church of the Holy Cross (Capuchins), Floriana, and are open to anyone passionate about Malta’s sacred heritage.
Far from being a technical seminar, this series promises a captivating journey behind the scenes of church museums and heritage care. Participants will explore questions that spark curiosity, and sometimes controversy.
Can works of art in churches be sold? Are church museums simply similar rooms of silver, statues, and relics, or is each one a unique story waiting to be discovered?
How do curators decide what to restore? How do museum inventories protect heritage?
These are some of the questions that will be explored during the sessions.
Each session stands independently, and all are free of charge and delivered in Maltese.
Register on the Capuchins website.