Monday, March 05, 2012

Conservation work to begin on medieval chapel in Malta

Maltese Bus Operator Arriva has announced it will be collaborating with conservation group Din l-Art Ħelwa (DLĦ) on a project focused on the conservation of the chapel in Ħal Millieri, limits of Żurrieq and Mqabba. Arriva’s Commercial Manager Thomas Dimech met with DLĦ Chief Executive Officer Simone Mizzi, Mr George Mangion Warden and Curator of Ħal Millieri Chapel and Ms Maria Grazia Cassar DLĦ Council Member Responsible for Restoration, at the Chapel, where the sponsorship was officialised during a small ceremony.

“Our national heritage is amongst the most beautiful and diverse in the world, and we all have to play our various parts in safeguarding it for future generations. Even though we have only started operations 8 months ago, as a corporate citizen of the Maltese Islands, Arriva believes it has a duty to help in conserving these gems, that are not only part of our history but indeed among our richest treasures as Maltese citizens. Arriva is extremely glad to be able to support Din l-Art Ħelwa on this project and to be associated with the beautiful and quite unique chapel here at Ħal Millieri,” said Mr Dimech.

The chapel of the Annunciation is situated in the old village of Casal Millieri, which lies between Żurrieq, Qrendi, Mqabba and Kirkop. This village was first documented in 1419 and its origins date back to Roman and possibly pre-historic times. The chapel was consecrated in around 1480 on the site of an earlier chapel built in the thirteenth century, and is a typical example of a Maltese medieval church.

Click here to read the full article from the Malta Independent