One of Malta’s most-loved landmarks – the iconic tower of the Grade 1 listed St. Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral in Valletta – and Valletta’s skyline are about to be saved for posterity as a 3 million euro contract is signed between the Anglican Church authorities and a Maltese joint venture company made up of leading contractors, Vassallo Builders Ltd, Agius Stoneworks Ltd and Vaults Ltd .

The contract is the culmination of many months of architectural inspections and detailed technical tests of the tower and spire of the cathedral by foremost restoration architects, AP Valletta. Their tests identified worrying signs of deterioration threatening the stability of the tower, the spire and the stonework throughout the cathedral, making this work an absolute priority.

Following the signing of the contract and preliminary preparations (including erection of safety hoarding), work will commence on the ground within the next six weeks, starting with the erection of the scaffolding surrounding the historic 67 metre bell-tower and spire of the Cathedral and the removal of the six bells. This is a massive undertaking which will be tackling the imperative need for the repair and reconstruction of the most vulnerable part of the Cathedral.

A combination of EU funds and one fifth co-financing by the Cathedral through its Save the Valletta Skyline Restoration Appeal have provided the funding for this important first contract.

Work is actively now in hand to let the next contracts which will tackle the external fabric of the remainder of the church, accessibility between the church and the Undercroft and the internal tower timber works.