Ways and means of conserving baroque architectural heritage and the exchange of Italian and Maltese experiences in this regard was the aim of a two-day international conference recently held at the Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana.

The conference, entitled La Rinascita del Barocco was inaugurated by Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism Mario de Marco, who stressed the importance of Malta's baroque architectural heritage in attracting quality tourism to Malta.

Denis De Lucca, director of the University's International Institute for Baroque Studies, who also co-ordinated the conference proceedings, stressed the need to restore and exhibit the unique baroque Chapelle Ardente of St John's Co-Cathedral. Architects Alex Torpiano and Joann Cassar from the University's Faculty of the Built Environment spoke about the restoration of Fort Manoel and the qualities of Maltese limestone, Stephen Spiteri gave an illustrated explanation of the development of Malta's baroque fortifications, while Hermann Bonnici discussed the restoration of baroque buildings in Malta, focusing on Sarria chapel, Floriana.

Salvatore Tringali from the University of Catania gave an interesting talk about the reconstruction of the cathedral of San Corrado in Noto, Sicily.

Other presentations were given by Stefano Bertocci of the University of Florence, Paolo Marconi and Giorgio Croci of the University of Rome, Mauro Strada of the University of Venice and Francesco Scoppola.

The conference was also addressed by Italian ambassador Paolo Andrea Trabalza, University pro-rector Alfred Vella, and Carlo Enrico Terzano, president of Associazione Prorestauro Italia.

The conference was organised by the University's International Institute for Baroque Studies in association with Associazione Prorestauro Italia, Turin. It was supported by the Italian Embassy and held under the patronage of the Italian ministries of foreign affairs and economic development.