Restoration of Rabat’s Sacro Monte to start this month
The restoration will mark the end of a wider project to regenerate the Rabat piazza
Restoration works to the Sacro Monte, a series of terraces and a staircase leading to the statue of St Paul in the Rabat piazza, are due to start this month, the tourism ministry has said.
In a statement, the ministry said restoration works to the landmark known locally as iż-Żurżieqa include works to its “sculptural elements, masonry balustrades and flagstone paving, as well as other structural repairs”.
The works are expected to cost €220,000 and are being undertaken by the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA), following earlier works in collaboration with Infrastructure Malta (IM).
The ministry described the Sacro Monte as a “site of profound spiritual and historical significance, which played a key role in several special occasions, including the 1933 Jubilee celebrations and Pope John Paul II’s visit to the Basilica in 1990”.
“These works will mark the completion of a wider project, to regenerate the piazza next to the Basilica, transforming a formerly neglected area into a pedestrianised space for community events, featuring limestone paving, architectural lighting, improved accessibility, seating areas, olive trees and other greenery”, the ministry said.
The project, which kicked off in 2020, is supported by the Rabat Local Council and St Paul’s Parish.
The announcement was marked by a visit to the site by Tourism Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg, Rabat Mayor Sandro Craus, Reverend Joseph Mizzi, MTA CEO Carlo Micallef and IM CEO Steve Ellul.